As part of the project “Strengthening Health, Economic, and Social Well-being of Families in Badakhshan and Takhar Provinces,” the Helping Hands for Women Organization (HHWO), with support from UN Women, continues to provide mental health and socio-economic support to women in four remote districts of the two provinces.

Since April 2025, eight trained female counselors have been deployed to Namak Ab and Warsaj in Takhar and Jurm and Yamgan in Badakhshan. These services are delivered through designated health centers in Tursht, Mian Sher, Qwanduz, and Namak Ab (Takhar), and Farghamenj, Khastak, Jokhan, and Gharmay (Badakhshan), offering women in underserved areas access to essential psychological care.

Between May 21 and June 20, 2025, the project conducted 997 individual counseling sessions, supporting women dealing with anxiety, depression, and trauma. In the same period, 250 women participated in group counseling sessions, and over 3,680 local residents benefited from community awareness activities focused on mental health.

Each counselor sees four to six clients daily. Women are encouraged to attend five weekly sessions to ensure sustained mental health support. These structured sessions help participants build handling skills and emotional resilience over time.

Alongside counseling, daily 15-minute awareness sessions are held in each health center. These short discussions focus on emotional regulation, stress management, and the effects of gender-based violence. They play a vital role in raising mental health awareness and reducing stigma within the community.

This recent progress highlights HHWO’s ongoing commitment to improving women’s mental well-being in Takhar and Badakhshan. By delivering accessible, community-based services, the project continues to support women’s psychological recovery and strengthen social support networks in remote areas.