Number of mentally ill people doubles in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Around 100 people with mental disorders visit the Zonal Hospital in northern Balkh province daily, an official said on Saturday.

Most of these patients say the prevailing widespread unemployment and uncertainty in the country have made them mentally sick.

Dr. Humayun Momand, a psychologist, confirmed to Pajhwok Afghan News the number of mentally sick people had doubled due to poverty and joblessness in the country.

Dr. Momand recalled 40 patients would visit the hospital for treatment daily in the past. But now the number has increased to 100 visits daily.

He called the deteriorating economic situation in the country the main reason for the rising of number of patients.

If the current situation persisted, the doctor feared, a higher number of people would run into mental ailments.

Mental disease department head De. Mohammad Ashraf also verified a sharp spike in the number of mentally sick people.

He said: “In comparison with last year, the number of these patients has doubled. The patients’ number exceeds even a hundred a day. It was only40 in the not-so-distant past.”

He added patients at the Balkh hospital receive psychotherapy, physical and medical treatment as well. Much of the treatment is offered free of cost.

Tawhidullah, 25, told Pajhwok unemployment and poverty had caused him mental sickness. “Youth are deprived of education. People are leaving the country amid unemployment. Tolerating all these difficulties is not easy, and that is why people are mentally sick.”

Zahra, 20, has been hospitalised for medical treatment. Now she feels better. She asked youth not to lose hope and visit the hospital for medical care.

Physicians linked mental disorders to social problems, prolonged war, poverty, unemployment and domestic violence.

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