RASC News Agency: A recent official from the World Health Organization has stated that half of Afghanistan’s population suffers from mental anxieties, deeming it a concerning matter. Dr. Hanan Balkhi, the Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Department at the World Health Organization, expressed that these anxieties make individuals vulnerable to mental health issues and drug abuse, consequently lowering their quality of life.
A session organized by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Union, titled “Deep Crisis: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Paralyzing Afghanistan Society,” was held in Vienna, the capital of Austria, with the participation of 140 attendees. The World Health Organization stated in this session that eight million Afghanistanis suffer from mental health issues, while patients are deprived of access to mental health and substance abuse treatment services in Afghanistan.
Ms. Balkhi added, “Fifty percent of Afghanistan’s population, which is an alarming figure, suffers from mental anxieties, impacting their productivity and quality of life negatively.” The UN official further stated, “This situation renders individuals vulnerable to mental health issues and drug abuse, while limited services are available for individuals in the healthcare and social care system in this country.”
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, mental health issues among citizens, especially women and girls, have significantly increased due to the suppression and restrictions imposed by this group.
