Attachments
CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON MENTAL HEALTH
Afghan beliefs about mental health are influenced by collectivism, prioritizing family and community well-being over individual needs. Because mental health issues are often attributed to social or familial disharmony, they may affect perceptions of family honor. Religious beliefs play a central role, with many attributing mental illnesses to supernatural forces like jinn (spirits), the evil eye, or divine punishment. Furthermore, decades of war have normalized trauma and impacted their resilience and endurance. As a result, this may impact Afghans’ perspectives on their symptoms and contribute to low rates of seeking mental health care