Mental disorder cases on the increase in Herat

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): More than people suffering from mental illnesses have visited health centres in western Herat province during the first six months of the ongoing year.

Dr. Abdul Qayutm Mohammadi, head of the mental health services at the provincial hospital, told Pajhwok Afghan News in the first six half of the year, at least 2,324 people suffering from mental disorders visited health centres.

Nasrin (not a real name), one of the patients, said current economic hardships and lack of work had caused her to suffer from mental ailment.

Amina, another woman who came to the Herat hospital for mental treatment, said unemployment of her three young sons and the poor economic situation had disturbed her normal balance.

Ali Ahmad Mukhtar, a Herat-based psychologist, called family disputes, deprivation of education, economic problems, unemployment, forced marriages and restrictions the main factors behind mental illnesses.

“Staying at home for a long time increases depression and mental disorders among women. Such patients must be kept busy and motivated,” he stressed

Maulvi Naeemul Haq Haqqani, director of information and culture, said the key reason behind the increase in mental disorders was conflict over the past four decades in the country.

In order to reduce the disease, educational and awareness programmes should be launched for women and youth, he suggested.

Meanwhile, information from the Public Health Department shows on average, more than 250 patients with mental problems refer daily to the Psychiatric Department of the main provincial hospital.

Doctors say increasing unemployment and hopelessness about future have possibly contributed to an increase in the number mental patients in the province.

sa/mud

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