23% of Iranians Depressed

Around 23% of Iranians between the ages of 15 and 64 suffer from moderate to severe depression, according to Ali Asadi, deputy head of the Health Ministry’s Psychology and Health Department.

Also, a recent study conducted by the ministry has indicated that 6.2% of all people in the same age range suffer from at least one psychiatric disorder severe enough to affect school, work, or other aspects of daily life, ISNA reported.  “Last year, 1,200 beds were added to psychiatric wards in the country’s hospitals,” he said, adding that for 20 years Iranian hospitals had only 8,000 beds for psychiatric patients.  According to Asadi, the ministry has plans to add 6,000 more beds by 2021.