The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The United Nations special rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said Friday that the mental health situation in Afghanistan is “immense” due to decades of conflict, natural disasters and ongoing repression under Taliban rule.
In a post on X, Bennett said, “In a country affected by
natural disasters and decades of conflict and crisis, the mental health impact
in Afghanistan is immense. Services are very limited, especially for women and
girls facing severe Taliban repression. Greater recognition and support
services are vital.”
His remarks came as the world marked World Mental Health Day,
an annual observance aimed at raising awareness about psychological well-being
and advocating for better access to mental health care globally.
Afghanistan’s mental health system has been severely
strained in recent years, with limited professional services and few support
networks — particularly for women and girls who face restrictions on work,
education and freedom of movement under Taliban rule.
The UN and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned
that widespread poverty, trauma from years of war and the aftermath of natural
disasters such as earthquakes have deepened the mental health crisis in the
country.
As part of the global campaign for World Mental Health Day,
advocates have urged social media users to highlight mental health awareness
using the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay, calling for increased global attention
and funding for mental health services, especially in crisis-affected countries
like Afghanistan.
