A United Nations fund announced it has provided mental health services to over 120,000 Yemenis this year, as the need for psychological care continues to grow in the war-torn country.
According to recent reports, nearly a quarter of Yemen’s population suffers from mental health issues due to ongoing conflict, yet only a fraction of those affected receive adequate care.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) revealed that, since the beginning of 2024, more than 100,000 Yemenis have benefited from mental health support services, including in-person counseling at specialized centers and a dedicated hotline.
Many of the beneficiaries are survivors of violence and war, which has caused widespread suffering, displacement, and severe crises in food security and healthcare over the past decade.
Over the last six years, the UNFPA has established six mental health centers across Yemen, funded by the European Union and the Norwegian government.
These centers aim to address the growing demand for mental health services and combat the social stigma that often prevents Yemenis from seeking help for psychological issues.
The mental health crisis in Yemen is compounded by years of conflict, with approximately 7 million people estimated to suffer from trauma and stress related to the ongoing war, according to UN reports.
Since 2015, the conflict has devastated basic living conditions, further exacerbating the psychological toll on the population.
A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that about 25% of Yemen’s population needs mental health care. However, only around 120,000 people currently receive this care due to the lack of stability and limited access to services. Yemen has just 46 psychiatrists across the entire country, averaging one psychiatrist for every 700,000 people.
The lack of qualified healthcare professionals and treatment facilities has left the majority of Yemen’s population without proper psychological care.
Only 10% of primary healthcare facilities are equipped to handle mental health disorders, according to Yemeni psychologist Najla Sultan.
Sultan also noted that the absence of national mental health programs and trained medical staff is a significant contributor to the worsening mental health crisis.
In regions affected by ongoing conflict or displacement, mental health issues are particularly prevalent. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are becoming more common, with some cases resulting in suicide or attempts at self-harm.
The humanitarian impact extends to those held in captivity by the Houthi group. According to the Abductees’ Mothers Association, many detainees suffer severe psychological trauma due to prolonged isolation and physical abuse.
In a statement released on World Mental Health Day, the organization detailed the harsh conditions faced by detainees, including threats of violence and long periods of solitary confinement, which have led to deteriorating mental health.
Families of abductees are also affected, living in constant fear for the safety of their loved ones. Many relatives experience chronic stress, depression, and anxiety, as they await news of those who have disappeared or are held captive.
The Abductees’ Mothers Association has called on the international community to take immediate action to end these human rights abuses and provide mental health support for both detainees and their families.
The association emphasized that true mental health and human dignity cannot be achieved while such systematic psychological violence continues.
