Mental health stories: the will to recover
12 May 2025, Kabul, Afghanistan – In Afghanistan, years of conflict and economic hardship have exacted a heavy toll on mental health, leaving many struggling with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and other conditions. To address this, WHO, with the support of the European Union (EU), is bringing life-changing mental health and psychosocial support programmes to those most in need.
Through hospitals and community centres, trained health workers are providing counseling, group therapy and stress management sessions to thousands across the country. Specialized wards have been established for vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities, delivering targeted care and support.
Despite these efforts, most of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial hospitals still lack specialized mental health services. To bridge the gap, WHO launched a pilot initiative to integrate acute mental health wards in selected hospitals. Eight-bed wards were set up in Bamyan, Badakhshan, Farah and Nimroz, and a larger 20-bed facility was established at Ayno Mena Hospital in Kandahar. These wards, along with outpatient mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) clinics, provide essential care to people who previously had no access to mental health services.
