Mental Health

Introduction

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban known for its opposition to human rights, democracy, and women’s rights, seized control of Afghanistan for the second time. Subsequent to their takeover, the Taliban imposed restrictive measures, including the closure of university doors for young female students, resulting in the exclusion of women from active participation and the promotion of peace in society. The number of women university students in Afghanistan plummeted from over 100,000 in 2021 to zero in 2022, and today, no women attend their university classes.

These regressive decisions by the Taliban leadership have had a severe impact on the well-being and mental health of young women who had aspirations for their personal lives and for Afghanistan. The resurgence of the Taliban in August 2021 brought profound mental challenges to Afghan women and girls who were active contributors to peace and conflict resolution. Today, they grapple with trauma, anxiety, depression, and even contemplate suicide, feeling confined, isolated, and voiceless in their current circumstances.

A report from U.N. Women, the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan revealed that between April and June 2023, nearly 70% of Afghan women experienced feelings of anxiety, isolation, and depression—a significant increase from the previous quarter’s 57%.

In a BBC interview, an Afghan university student expressed her anguish, saying, “I just want someone to hear my voice. I’m in pain, and I’m not the only one.” Another young university student disclosed, “Most of the girls in my class have had suicidal thoughts. We are all suffering from depression and anxiety, with no hope.”

In Afghan culture, mental health issues are often misunderstood as other illnesses, and individuals may find it challenging to talk about or seek support, even within their own families.

The well-being of these women profoundly affects not only their personal daily lives but also extends to influence their families and communities, impacting their participation in decision-making processes. These young women, who were either actively contributing to positive change in society or poised to hold key positions in the government and private sector after graduating from university, are now losing power over their rights and personal lives. They find themselves grappling with mental health crises, making it challenging to emotionally respond to situations in their personal lives, often leading to conflicts. Many have expressed the need for tools to cope with these challenges and navigate the ongoing restrictions on their rights.

In response, the Aramesh: Mental Health for Young Female University Students project aims to train a team of 8 local trainers with prior experience in mental health field. These trainers will subsequently work to empower 40 young women enrolled in public and private universities across four provinces of Afghanistan. The 8 local trainers will undergo training led by international experts in the topic.

The project activities aim to help young women understand their experiences, cope effectively, and prevent the ban's negative impacts. By practicing strategies, they can avoid resorting to violence, conflict, or contemplating suicide, given the uncertainty of university closures.

The project also establishes a support network for young women across four provinces, acknowledging their difficulty in sharing struggles with families. It aims to connect them with others facing similar situations and extends assistance to families and friends, benefiting the larger community.

The selected cities for the project are Balkh, Herat, Kandahar, and Nangarhar, where APT has been active in society since 2010.