KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Sources in Nangarhar say that a student of the Faculty of Medicine at the province’s university has died after taking his own life.
A source said that the student was named Fazl Azim and that the incident occurred on Sunday (June 7) in the Angor Bagh area of the fourth district of Jalalabad city.
The source described economic hardship as the reason behind the student’s death.
So far, Taliban authorities in Nangarhar have not commented on the circumstances, motives, or other details surrounding the incident.
In recent years, a significant number of suicide cases have been reported. Mental health challenges, limited access to treatment, and psychological pressure caused by poverty and unemployment are cited as major contributing factors.
The incident comes amid growing concerns about the impact of economic difficulties and limited mental health services in Afghanistan. Aid organizations and mental health advocates have repeatedly warned that prolonged financial hardship, displacement, unemployment, and restricted access to healthcare can place significant psychological strain on individuals and communities across the country.
In a previously reported case from Kandahar, a 30-year-old man identified as Abdul Sattar died by suicide in April after reportedly hanging himself in his room in the Choni area of the city’s first district. Local sources attributed the incident to economic problems, while Taliban authorities did not comment on the case.
Afghanistan’s mental health crisis has deepened in recent years. A Gallup survey conducted in 2023 found that 98% of Afghans experience psychological distress — among the highest rates globally. Women and girls face even greater mental strain as they are barred from education, employment, and public spaces such as parks and gyms.
Investigations by Etilaatroz and KabulNow found that at least 213 people, mostly under the age of 20, took their own lives in 2023. The true figure is believed to be higher, as many cases go unreported due to Taliban restrictions on media and the stigma surrounding mental health in Afghanistan.
