Geopsychiatry in the Middle East: an emerging need

This paper explores the influence of geospatial crises on access to mental health care in the Middle East, specifically in conflict-affected countries such as Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. Adopting a geopsychiatric perspective, it emphasises how spatial and political factors, like urban-centric services, infrastructure collapse, displacement, and territorial control, determine who receives care, where it is provided, and under what conditions. Rural, peripheral, and displaced populations frequently experience chronic under-service, while urban centers retain most psychiatric resources. To mitigate these disparities, policies must focus on spatial equity, decentralisation, and regional cooperation. A geopsychiatric approach offers more nuanced, location-sensitive strategies for mental health reform in fragile states. The involvement of academic institutions and international advocacy groups can significantly advance these priorities. This paper serves as a conceptual and agenda-setting contribution, utilizing the framework of geopsychiatry to illuminate the spatial and political determinants of mental health care in conflict-affected countries in the Middle East.