STEPHEN LEAHY
Uxbridge — About 50 percent of Afghanis over 15 years of age suffer from mental health problems – depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. In northern Uganda, nearly every family suffered during the vicious 20-year rebellion during which thousands of children were kidnapped and turned into child soldiers in the Lord’s Resistance Army.
The fighting is over but the mental trauma continues.
Globally, close to 450 million people have mental health disorders, with more than 75 percent living in developing countries. Many are shut away or locked up. Few are ever treated, health experts say.
On World Mental Health Day Wednesday, 15 innovative projects are being launched to improve mental health diagnosis and care in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Nearly 20 million dollars will be invested under Grand Challenge Canada grants.
“There is a great deal of misunderstanding and ignorance about mental disorders in Afghanistan, especially outside of Kabul,” says Richard Scott of the University of Calgary, Canada.
There is only one psychiatrist in Badakshan Province where Scott and colleague Shariq Khoja will be working.
“We want to educate community health workers and get them to talk about mental disabilities,” Scott told IPS.
To reach Afghan youth, informative text (SMS) messages sent to their mobile phones will hopefully reduce some of the stigma and get some discussion going, he said.
“The first challenge is working with the Afghan Ministry of Health to change their approach and involve them in recognising mental disorders,” Scott said.
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