In recent years there has been a wide interest in the cross-cultural aspects of mental illness. Information concerning incidence, symptomatology and attitudes towards mental illness in the developing countries may contribute to the understanding of psychological processes and psychiatric problems. Kline (1963) reported a number of surveys of psychiatry in non-Western countries. One of these surveys was conducted in Kuwait, which is culturally and geographically intimately related to Iraq. This study aims at adding to Kline's data by providing information about various facets of psychiatry in Iraq. The present data were collected through interviews with a number of practising psychiatrists and through reference to hospital statistics and other relevant literature, in addition to the authors' clinical experience.