KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A young man in Zabul province has died by suicide amid worsening economic conditions, local sources report.
The victim, identified as Ahmadullah Rahmati, hanged himself from the ceiling of his home on Saturday night, 26 April, in Shahjoy district, according to a source who requested anonymity.
Ahmadullah, a resident of Shah Husain Khel village, had previously worked at a bakery but had been unemployed for the past two years.
Local Taliban authorities have not commented on the incident.
More than three years into Taliban rule, Afghanistan faces a deepening mental health crisis. A 2023 Gallup survey found that 98% of Afghans report experiencing mental health issues.
Poverty, unemployment, and untreated mental illnesses are among the main drivers of suicide across the country.
Cases have particularly surged among women and girls, driven by forced marriages, domestic violence, and mounting hopelessness. Restrictions on women’s rights, including bans on education, work, and freedom of movement, have further worsened the psychological toll.
The Taliban’s dismantling of legal protections against domestic abuse has left many women vulnerable and without access to justice.
Investigations by Etilaat Roz and KabulNow documented at least 213 suicide deaths in 2023, with nearly 80% involving individuals under the age of 20.
The true figure is believed to be much higher, as many cases go unreported due to Taliban media restrictions and the stigma surrounding mental health.
