APA pledges mental health support in wake of Afghanistan evacuation

The American Psychiatric Association has underscored the importance of providing mental health access and support for individuals involved in the ongoing evacuation efforts in Afghanistan.

U.S. service members, individuals in the foreign service and their families, their Afghan co-workers and families who were evacuated should all receive support, the APA noted in a press release. With U.S. asylum seekers and refugees at increased risk for developing mental disorders, such as PTSD and depression, the association highlighted the critical importance of providing mental health resource access for all.

“These recent events may trigger a range of emotions from anger to concern for the people left behind,” the APA release read. “When complex feelings are left unaddressed, they can manifest into stress, anxiety and at times more serious mental disorders.”

The APA has developed resources for psychiatrists regarding treatment guidelines for undocumented immigrants amid changing political and social climates. These include a toolkit for treating stress and trauma, as well as a video on immigrant and refugee mental health.

“APA and its members stand ready to support those impacted in the weeks and months ahead,” the release read. “We should ensure that our country provides the needed mental health resources to address this traumatic situation for all who need them.”