Presents an overview of mental health in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sections cover the following aspects: the history of psychiatry in Iran, development of modern psychiatry in Iran, epidemiology of mental illness, characteristics of psychiatric illnesses, the use of alternative medicine, and the influence of religious beliefs. Studies reporting prevalence rates for psychiatric disorders in general are reviewed. Research suggests that the effects of the Iran-Iraq war had detrimental effects on the mental health of Iranians in terms of the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental disorders. Sociocultural factors also appear to play a significant role in the pattern of clinical symptoms for a number of mental illnesses, including depression and addiction. The present state of psychiatry in Iran emphasizes outpatient treatment and provision of psychiatric care in different communities, with a focus on prevention of mental health problems.