Event highlights urgent need for action on mental health and substance use disorders in Afghanistan
25 March 2024, Vienna, Austria – Panellists, policy-makers and stakeholders convened on 21 March 2024 to address the pressing challenges around mental health and substance use disorders faced by millions of Afghans.
WHO, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union (EU) and the Government of Japan convened the high-level side event titled “Deepening crisis: Mental health and substance use disorders paralysing Afghan society” during the 67th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The hybrid event was attended, in person and via Zoom, by 140 participants in total.
Panel members shared insights on how to address gaps in access to and provision of mental health and substance use disorder services in Afghanistan through policy changes, enhanced responses, and operational strategies. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for concerted action to tackle stigma and discrimination around people with drug addiction and mental health problems. Other obstacles include the limited availability of quality and complete prevention and treatment services; insufficient specialized and competent health staff; and considerable funding gaps.