As part of the Strengthening Health and Economic Resilience of Families in Takhar and Badakhshan project, Helping Hands Women Organisation (HHWO), with the support of UN Women, continues to deliver vital mental health and Psycho social support counselling services to women and girls in four remote districts of the two provinces.

Since the launch of services in April 2025, the eight trained female Mental Health and Psycho social Support (MHPSS) counsellor, deployed across Namak-Ab and Worsaj districts in Takhar and Jurm and Yumgan districts in Badakhshan, have been actively working in target health centers. These include centers in Torosht, Meyanshar, Qwandoz, and Namak-Ab (Takhar), and Farghamanch,Khestak, Wonai, and Gharmai (Badakhshan).

Between April 15 and May 31, the project has provided 1,458 individual counselling sessions to women facing psychological distress, including symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression. In addition, 356 women have taken part in group counselling sessions, and more than 5,000 individuals have benefited from community-based mental health awareness programs. Counsellor are engaging 4 to 6 clients daily, with each woman encouraged to complete up to five sessions, one session per week for sustained mental health support.

Daily per-session awareness discussions are also held at each facility. These 15-minute sessions address critical topics such as emotional regulation, stress management, and the effects of gender-based violence, helping to build resilience and reduce stigma around mental health patients.

Preliminary assessments show that 32 women have already completed their sessions with noticeable recovery and improved mental well-being. The response from both communities and local authorities has been overwhelmingly positive, with growing demand for the continuation and expansion of the services.

This milestone is a clear step forward in HHWO’s mission to support women’s mental health and psycho social resilience. With ongoing support from UN Women, HHWO remains committed to extending the impact of this essential work across Takhar and Badakhshan Provinces.