UNFPA, Preparing Afghan returnees for community reintegration through psychosocial support, 20 December 2022 “Spin Boldak, Kandahar – “A new dress.” Dr. Adela Yadgaar reads out loud some of the writings on sticky notes answering the question “What makes you happy?” posted on a board inside the Women-Friendly Health Space (WFHS) at the zero point camp in Spin Boldak. She then moves to another section of the wall and reads: “Tailoring,” which answers the question “What is your skill?” Dr. Yadgaar works as a Technical Manager for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) in the UNFPA-supported WFHS at the zero point camp in Spin Boldak, where Afghan returnees, mostly coming from the bordering Pakistan, are processed and receive various services from humanitarian agencies.
The WFHS provides psychosocial support services to women and girls arriving at the camp, wanting to return to Afghanistan. About 40 to 45 Afghan families are crossing the border every month, according to local NGOs. While a number of them are deportees, the majority are voluntary returnees – some of them have been away from Afghanistan since their childhood. Psychosocial support services are as life-saving as food, water and shelter in any humanitarian response, especially for people who have experienced extremely distressing events, have been displaced, or returning to their communities. “Mental health issues are very common among returnees that cross the border every day,” says Dr. Yadgaar. “We conduct activities here at the WFHS that help women and girls feel positive about themselves again and gain self-confidence as they face a new life back in their communities.” Pointing at the board, where she earlier read notes from women and girls who have participated in their activities, Dr. Yadgaar continued: “We ask questions such as ‘what is your skill?’ ‘what makes you happy?’ ‘what’s your goal in life?’ to help them focus on their strengths and positive traits.” She said an average of 15 to 20 women and girls participate in the WFHS activities daily. Through such activities, the WFHS helps prepare the women and girls for reintegration into their communities. UNFPA is able to keep the WFHS operational at the zero point camp through the support of the Government of the United Kingdom to UNFPA’s humanitarian work in Afghanistan, which prioritizes the well-being of women and girls impacted by the crisis. Aside from the WFHS, the United Kingdom also supports the provision of emergency supplies including reproductive health kits, dignity kits and winterization kits for the most vulnerable Afghan population. At the recent launch of the UNFPA Humanitarian Action 2023 Overview, Ambassador James Kariuki, the UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, underscored the importance of supporting UNFPA’s work for the health and protection of women and girls in humanitarian settings. “The UK’s aim is to strengthen people’s ability to recover from crises, to protect and prioritize the most vulnerable when crises occur, and to amplify the voices of the most marginalized, in particular women and girls, to ensure their needs are met,” Mr. Karikuki said. At present, there are 61 WFHSs supported by UNFPA across Afghanistan, providing psychosocial support and information, and skills training for women and girls.”
UNAMA, Briefing to the United Nations Security Council by the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva New York, 20 December 2022
“These somewhat positive economic developments might not be sustainable if the real concerns of Afghans are not addressed. Between 11 October and 8 November UNAMA carried out stakeholder meetings in 12 provinces which were selected to ensure a representation of all Afghan communities and sectors. We engaged with 519 participants, including 189 women and 83 representatives of the de facto authorities. The concerns expressed by the population had to do with […] lack of health facilities, mental health problems of the population, poverty and economic insecurity and discrimination of ethnic minorities. The Taliban have not addressed these issues and in many cases their decisions have made them worse.”
EU and WHO, EU contributes €16 million to improve mental health and drug use disorder services in Afghanistan, 15 December 2022
“14 December 2022, Kabul, Afghanistan – The European Union has allocated €16 million towards increasing access of vulnerable populations in Afghanistan to mental health and drug use disorder services. Drug use is usually associated with increased vulnerabilities in many areas of life, resulting in negative social and health consequences, such as co-occurring mental and physical disorders, drug-related deaths, unemployment, stigmatization, crime, and violence. To address drug use and its related disorders in Afghanistan, World Health Organization (WHO) will increase Afghans’ access to integrated, qualitative, and comprehensive drug use disorder and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services. “Drug use disorders need to be considered primarily as health problems rather than criminal behaviours.
The EU funding will enable us to provide an effective and integrated drug treatment programme that focuses on the physical, mental, social, psychological, and economic well-being of vulnerable populations,” says Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Afghanistan. Raffaella Iodice, EU Chargée d’Affaires a.i. and Deputy Head of Delegation to Afghanistan: “The EU remains deeply committed to supporting the Afghan people. Too many persons in Afghanistan suffer from mental health disorders after years of conflict and political changes. Improving the health and well-being of the people of Afghanistan jointly with WHO and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is to address immediate needs of people and represents concrete steps towards achieving universal health coverage”. The EU’s assistance to Afghanistan addresses notably the most vulnerable segments of the population, including women, girls, minorities, internally displaced persons and refugees. EU aid is channelled through United Nations agencies or nongovernmental organizations.”
HNI (Health Net), With new European Union Funding, HealthNet TPO Expands Initiative to Support Mental Health in Afghanistan, 14 December 2022
“With additional €5 million support from the European Union, HealthNet TPO prolongs and expands its programme in addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people, and in particular women and children in Afghanistan. The programme is improving access to and quality of mental health services in Afghanistan, including support at community levels and at schools.”
MSF, People with tuberculosis face multiple barriers accessing treatment in Afghanistan, 8 December 2022
“We also provide patients with mental health support, carry out health promotion activities within the hospital and in the surrounding area, and deliver technical and financial support to provincial laboratories who offer TB testing.”
Pajhwok Afghan News, Mentally sick young man commits suicide in Paktia, 20 November 2022
“GARDEZ (Pajhwok): A mentally-challenged young man has committed suicide in the Gerda Serai district of southeastern Paktia province, police said on Sunday.”
Deutsche Welle, Afghanistan: Medic battles mental health crisis, 16 September 2022
“A consultant is fighting an emerging mental health crisis, which has worsened since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last year. Women are particularly affected.”
The Guardian, Afghanistan six months after the Taliban takeover- photo essay, 4 March 2022
“The Kabul-based International Psychological Organisation (IPSO) has said Afghanistan is a “trauma state”, estimating that 70% of Afghans are in need of psychological support.”
AVA Press, Mental illness a silent threat to Afghanistan, 30 September 2021
“A mental health expert, concerned about the increase in psychological problems among people, warns the number of such patients will double if factors behind it are not prevented.
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA)_ involves a wide range of disorders that affect the ability to think, feel and behave properly. The affected individuals cannot handle their daily affairs well.
Misbehavior, aggression, lack of concentration, depression, lack of interest and enjoyment, bullying, irritability, rapid weight change, fear, anxiety, changes in eating habits, extreme exhaustion, inability to cope with daily problems, excessive anger, violence and suicidal tendencies are some the symptoms of mental problems. In line with the data from the Ministry of Public Health, 46 percent of the country’s population, or 35 million people, do not have mental health.
In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Dr. Azizuddin Himmat, a mental health specialist and head of the Afghan psychologists’ union, said: “We have to say that the number of people with mental illness is higher than what was provided by the MoPH because there is conflict, insecurity and economic problems in the past 40 years.” Referring to the change of government and problems arising in various areas, he said: “Since the day the country’s political system changed, insecurity had decreased.
“Unfortunately, people are not mental calm. There are factors have cause people psychological pain and a surge in their problems.” [...]
“You know, the most affected people in this situation are women and girls. After the change in the political system two months ago, they remain at home. [...]
“If such factors are not prevented, believe me, the number of people with mental illness will increase significantly. I can say, mental illness is a catastrophe that threatens Afghanistan silently,” said Dr. Himmat. [...]
Stressed the need for the opening of girls’ schools and higher education centers as soon as possible and women should be employed, he added: “I believe if the Islamic Emirate do so, not only they will gain popularity, but also national and international community’s support.” “