| Resumo: | In August of 2021, the Taliban took over Afghanistan and implemented a policy
prohibiting girls from attending lower and upper secondary schools. This action caused and
continues to cause negative psychological and physical reactions in these adolescent
girls. Employing a mixed methods approach that incorporates four distinct data collection
strategies including survey, GHQ-12, interview, and FGD—this study investigates the mental
health of adolescent girls in Afghanistan affected by the restrictions on attending schools. The bans
impose a disruption in daily living that results in social isolation, difficulty with routines, and sleep
difficulties. Post-ban, students experience a decline in mental health including feeling
isolated, stressed, anxious, or depressed in addition to having concerns about the future. Economic
hardship, limited access to mental health resources, false beliefs about mental health, cultural
neglect, and a lack of emotional support are all contributing issues. There has not been progress in
mental health even after two years. Students who have family support and access to home
learning materials develop resilience. This study highlights the need for immediate intervention
for these students and ongoing research to comprehend and enhance coping mechanisms.
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