Summary
Counselling Associations
All Professional Bodies, National Associations (e.g. Mental Health, School, Guidance, Addiction, Faith-based etc.) and Accrediting Organisations.
Moroccan Psychological Assiation
- Organisation Size: 50 members
Moroccan Association for Mental Health The National Association for Mental Health
- Organisation Size: NGO
Universities and Other Education and Training Institutes
Higher School of Physiotherapy
- University Website: https://www.esk.ma/
International University of Casablanca
- University Website: https://www.uic.ac.ma/
- Programme Types: Bachelor in General Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology
The École Supérieure de Psychologie
- University Website: https://psychosup.net/
- Programme Types: Bachelor of Psychology, Master of Clinical Psychology. Master of Occupational Psychology, Master of Psychogerontology
University Mundiapolis Casablanca
- University Website: https://www.mundiapolis.ma/
- Programme Types: License in General Psychology (BAC + 3), Master in Psychology and Psychotherapy
Counselling Agencies, Services, Group Practices, Counselling Centres
Centre International De Psychologie De Travail
- Website: http://www.centrepsychologie.com/
- Organisation setting: Private setting
Centre de psychologie “PAS A PAS”
- Website: http://centredepsychologiepasapas.e-monsite.com/
- Organisation setting: Private setting
Centre LIMANI de Thérapies Psycho-somatiques
Theia Center
- Website: http://centretheia.com/
Background & Context
The first psychiatric institutions in Morocco were built in 1920. Berrechid Hospital, a large asylum-type structure with 2,000-bed capacity was the first to be operational. In the 1930s, the French military doctors Mazel and Pierson were given the responsibility of providing the first psychiatric services in Morocco. When the Moroccans achieved self-governance in 1956, they took over French institutions, and the psychiatry that is practised today is by Moroccan physicians for the Moroccan population. Most psychiatrists, in both the public and the private sectors, are concentrated in large urban centres, particularly Casablanca (Stein, 2020). From the 1980’s, ambulatory psychiatry services (outpatients units) in the public and private sectors have been developed. In addition, the principal law is the Dahir of 1959 which addresses the prevention of mental illnesses and protection of the patients. This is the latest mental health legislation.
Current Regulatory Status / Level of Recognition:
According to Minister of Health in Morocco, they found that 48.9 percent of Moroccans are suffering or have suffered from a psychological disorder. The Minister said that “48.9 percent of Moroccans suffer or have suffered from psychological disorder; 26.5 percent of Moroccans suffer from depression; and 14 percent of Moroccans have attempted suicide at least once.” Besides, the Minister also mentioned about the lack of infrastructure in hospitals to treat psychological illnesses.
Moreover, while there are no official day treatment facilities in Morocco, there are a number of NGO-run day centres for youth aged 17 and younger with mental retardation and their families. They function as day care facilities, providing treatment and activities for the children. In addition, these facilities provide social support to the families and parents.
Practice Settings
There are coordinating bodies that coordinate and oversee public education and awareness campaigns on mental health and mental disorders. Government agencies, professional associations and international agencies have all participated in promoting public education and awareness campaigns in the last five years. The participating agencies have targeted the following groups: the general population, children, adolescents, women, trauma survivors and other vulnerable or minority groups. In addition, public education and awareness campaigns have targeted the following professional groups: health care providers, teachers, social services staff, leaders and politicians, and other groups linked to the health sector.
Furthermore, there are formal collaborations with the departments and agencies responsible for HIV/AIDS, child and adolescent health, reproductive health, substance abuse, child protection, education, criminal justice, welfare and others.
Challenges & Trends
Morocco faces major challenges in its attempt to reassure concerned citizens of efforts being made to address the needs for psychological and medical treatment for those suffering from mental illness.
Morocco is faced with many social development challenges, such as access to basic education and quality primary health care, reduction of illiteracy, poverty and social inequity. Within the health sector, Morocco is also struggling to increase training and employment as well as to change the population’s perceptions of people living with mental disorders and disabilities.
Additional Information & References
For more information about the counselling profession in the state, interested readers are encouraged to read the following journal and website articles:
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Stein, D., 2020. Occasional Essay : Views Of Mental Illness In Morocco: Western Medicine Meets The Traditional Symbolic. [online] PubMed Central (PMC). Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC80417/>
Morocco