Celebration of World Mental Health Day, 2016 - Afganistan

Kabul, 10th Oct. 2016 - Ministry of public health of Afghanistan celebrated World Mental Health Day 2016 under slogan of “Psychological First Aid” In order to highlight the importance of mental health for the people, identify priorities and effective strategies to reduce mental health suffering.

This ceremony which is celebrated at Suhaila Sediq Hall, MoPH, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Sarwari head of mental health & substance abuse department welcomed to the guests then his excellency Dr. Ahmad Jan Naeem deputy Minister of MoPH, Dr. Gabiel Octavian Leonte EU delegate Afghanistan, Dr. Supriya Warusavithanas WHO representative, Mrs. Inge Missmahl IPSO director and a Psychosocial Counselor spoke about the subject.

In this case MoPH, translated and adopted the Psychological First Aid guide which is recommended by WHO to Persian (Dari) and piloted in 9 Northern provinces including Konar provice which is recognize as a vulnerable province in 2014, that gave us a good result. This guide empower the people and the societies to control their selves and the situation in emergencies. Now, MoPH has plan to implement this program in 7 vulnerable provinces as Kunduz, Helmand, Takhar, Badakhshan, Zabul, Nangarhar and Baghlan in first step and in second step will implement to all provinces of the country.

Herat: It is noteworthy that world mental health day 2016 officially celebrated in west south region (Herat Province) as mental health week, and some interventions have started occasion of this day there.

Balkh: Also it is celebrated in Mazar e Sharif by cooperation of Balkh PPHD and other mental health stakeholders and implementers.(see related photos)