Reasons include Sexual repression and Narcotics Psychologists stated that the suicides attempts that recently spread among Iraqi youth are due to many reasons, including sexual repression and abuse experienced by these young people. The nature of the Iraqi society governed by traditions is to blame, according to psychology experts.
Dr. Kamal al-Obeidi, a specialist in mental illness in a Baghdad hospital, told Arabstoday "radical solutions must be found for this phenomenon. Specialized centers for suicidal cases must be established, so that specialists can help." Al-Obeidi pointed out "the absence of the state's role in following up the problem, in addition to civil society organizations and human rights."
"Consuming narcotic, which affect their behavior non-voluntarily," is yet one more problem, another Psychiatrist told Arabs Today. "What makes them resort to that is the poor economic conditions."
The doctor, who requested anonymity, said that "the society governed by traditions and religious rules, as well as control of Islamist parties that have set laws limiting premarital relations, have made sexual repression a crucial problem facing young Iraqis."
Before 2003, there were cities full of gypsies, offering sexual services for these young people in exchange for money. These cities were completely destroyed. Young people now get introverted when feeling an urge for sex and then think of committing suicide."
Mohammed al-Magmaey, a professor of sociology, stated that, "there are many causes for suicide, not only sexual repression, but the incapability of a person to get what they want in spite of hard work. In addition, lack of education, religious preacher and responsibility are great factors."
Sources in the Ministry of Interior told Arabs today, that there are about 50 suicide cases during the last six months, "this number is very scary compared to previous years."
Sources, who asked to stay anonymous, said that, " the river police has, alone, recovered, more than 40 bodies from the River Euphrates since the beginning of 2011 , while 37 suicide attempts were committed by young people between twenty and thirty years, but they were rescued alive."
Sources pointed out that "these numbers are an increase in suicide rates, compared to 2010, where only 22 bodies were recovered and 6 were rescued."