Mobile Health Teams Tackle Mental Health Crisis in Remote Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s northernmost province, known for its harsh winters and isolation, is facing a mental health crisis, particularly among women, according to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the principal UN agency working in the field of migration. IOM has been sending mobile health teams to these remote regions for a decade, but their numbers have dwindled significantly in 2023 due to restrictions imposed by the country’s de-facto authorities. These teams have been vital in addressing the growing mental health challenges exacerbated by women’s rights restrictions and family conflicts, with two-thirds of Afghan women reporting psychological problems.
The IOM’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) program in Afghanistan offers psychosocial and mental health assistance to migrants, returnees, and host communities throughout the country.
The reduction in mobile health teams has a severe impact on mental health services. As winter approaches and isolates communities even further, it’s imperative that these teams continue their operations to ensure equal access to comprehensive mental health care services across Afghanistan. Mental health is a fundamental human right, and the availability of mobile health teams is a lifeline for the most vulnerable communities in the country.
Source: IOM
Category: Community
