In a series of in-depth interviews with youths from diverse backgrounds, Salam Watandar has learnt that family and social pressures have caused added stress on them.
The youth phase is one of the most sensitive periods in life, where young people strive to gain independence and shape their identities. In Afghanistan, however, family and social challenges have become significant factors contributing to depression, isolation, and fear of the future among many young people.
In this report, Salam Watandar explores the impact of family and social problems on the mental health of youths, interviewing 25 young individuals from various provinces to shed light on this issue.
Interviews with 12 boys and 13 girls reveal that family and social challenges have caused mental health disorders among Afghan youths. The respondents shared that family issues, social pressures, and a lack of support have led to feelings of isolation, fear of the future, depression, anger, and a detachment from their goals.
Omidullah, 19-year-old from Kabul, explains that financial difficulties and a lack of mutual understanding within his family have led him to experience mental distress. He says, “What bothers me the most are financial problems and family disagreements; these issues have negatively affected my mental health. When there is no understanding or harmony among family members, I become overly emotional and suffer.”
Sotuda, 21-year-old, also based in Kabul, says that restrictions on girls’ education have led her to depression. “Family problems on one hand, and the closure of universities on the other, have made me depressed; I worry a lot, and this has affected my social life,” she says.
Hasanat, a resident of Laghman, states that strict family rules have made her more prone to aggression and anger. “Family pressures sometimes cause anger and stress; they have impacted my behavior and social life. If these issues are not addressed, I will suffer even more,” she added.
Several other respondents in the report mentioned that, in addition to family and social problems, their fear of the future and lack of employment opportunities have also contributed to their mental health challenges.
Mujib al-Rahman, 23-year-old from Nangarhar, shares that unemployment and uncertainty about the future have led him to depression. He says, “My future is unclear, and after graduating from university, I am very concerned about my future. On top of that, family problems have led to significant changes in my mood and have made me feel hopeless.”
Some psychologists argue that instability, family tensions, and economic difficulties are major contributors to mental health issues among young people.
Mohammadullah Baloch, a psychologist, explains that lack of support from family and insufficient love are other factors contributing to mental disorders in young people. “When there is no love, respect, or mutual understanding within the family, it can lead to psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, hopelessness, behavioral problems, and chaos among young people,” he says.
Sewita Habibi, another psychologist, says, “One of the key factors contributing to the rise in mental health problems is family and social challenges, which have a profound impact on the self-esteem and mental well-being of young people.”
Officials from the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MoPVPV) of the de-facto government of the Islamic Emirate assert that they have programs aimed at improving individual and social behavior in society. Saif al-Islam Khaibar, a spokesperson for the ministry, says, “The ministry is responsible for reforming the individual and social behavior of youths, and we have instructed all religious officers to pay serious attention to this matter. The law also addresses how inappropriate family behaviors and harmful social practices should be reformed.”
While young people express their struggles with mental health issues, a Gallup survey in the United States has ranked Afghanistan as one of the most depressed countries in the world.
