Afghanistan is facing an “immense” mental health crisis, especially among women and girls, amid decades of war, natural disasters and Taliban repression, the UN special rapporteur, Richard Bennett, said on Friday.
In a message marking World Mental Health Day, Bennett called for greater recognition of the problem and improved support services.
“In a country affected by natural disasters and decades of conflict and crisis, the mental health impact in Afghanistan is immense,” Bennett said on social media. “Services are very limited, especially for women and girls facing severe Taliban repression. Greater recognition and support services are vital.”
Mental health services in Afghanistan remain scarce, particularly in rural areas. The Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls since returning to power in 2021, including bans on secondary education, public spaces and most employment, exacerbating mental health challenges.
