KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A 22-year-old man has died by suicide in Khas Uruzgan district, Taliban officials confirmed.
The incident occurred on Saturday night, April 12, in Nakrezo village, according to Bilal Uruzgani, spokesperson for the Taliban police in Uruzgan.
He said the man shot himself with a firearm following a dispute with his family. He died while being taken to the hospital.
Authorities have not disclosed the victim’s identity or the cause of the argument.
More than three years into Taliban rule, Afghanistan is facing a deepening mental health crisis. A 2023 Gallup study said that 98% of Afghans report experiencing mental health issues.
Suicide cases have surged, particularly among women and girls. Key factors include forced marriages, domestic violence, and widespread hopelessness.
Restrictions on women’s rights — including bans on education, work, and movement — have further intensified the psychological toll.
The Taliban’s removal of legal protections against domestic abuse has left many women vulnerable, with little access to justice.
Investigations by Etilaat Roz and KabulNow documented at least 213 suicide deaths in 2023 — nearly 80% involving people under 20.
The actual number is likely higher, as many cases remain unreported due to Taliban media control and stigma around mental health.
