Several young working professionals in Kabul say they have been experiencing severe occupational depression in recent years. They add that work pressures, long working hours, and concerns about their professional future have negatively affected their morale and mental health. According to these young people, persistent fatigue and workplace stress have reduced their motivation and job satisfaction, and have even impacted their personal lives and social relationships. In their view, when there is no balance between effort and income, work gradually becomes a source of stress and despair. They emphasize that paying attention to working conditions and creating better job opportunities can prevent the spread of occupational depression among young people. Some of these young professionals, speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, say that working outside their field of study, the absence of capacity-building programs, and the lack of professional training and learning opportunities are among the other key factors contributing to occupational depression in their ranks.
Ahmad, one of the young working professionals, says he has been experiencing occupational depression in recent months. According to him, double standards in the workplace, the absence of capacity-building programs, large salary disparities, and heavy workloads have caused his motivation toward work to decline. Ahmad believes that warmth and cooperation among colleagues can reduce workplace stress, but he says he has not experienced such an atmosphere at his place of work.
Ahmad says, “An ordinary workday for me is accompanied by stress and pressure that sometimes becomes very intense. What has contributed most to my disillusionment with the workplace and my descent into occupational depression is the double standards displayed by managers and some colleagues. The workload is heavy, and in such circumstances, warmth and cooperation could help reduce stress. We need psychological support in the workplace, but we have not received any such support so far, even though, given the conditions in Afghanistan, this issue should be given attention in every working environment.”
Mohammad Zaman, another young working professional, says he too is experiencing severe occupational depression and that every day, instead of feeling a sense of progress, he faces a lack of motivation and the monotony of the workplace. He adds that due to widespread unemployment and the lack of job opportunities, he is forced to put up with what he describes as a “toxic” work environment.
This young man adds, “These days, we feel occupational depression very deeply. The work environment is repetitive, the office is repetitive, and when there is no opportunity for promotion or advancement, work becomes very difficult. When a person is in a place where there is no possibility of changing jobs or progressing, they become exhausted and unmotivated very quickly. We live in a country where job opportunities are limited, and whether in government, media, or the private sector, the situation is more or less the same.”
Mohammad Zaman says: “In the media outlet where I work, occupational depression is also very widespread. If this same outlet were operating in another country, the benefits and working conditions would be different. Fundamentally, Afghanistan is a country where even some foreign organizations operating within it provide their services in line with the prevailing conditions here.”
Idris, one of the young people who works at a bank, says that working with money carries a great deal of stress, and that even the smallest mistake can affect his career path, something that has led to occupational depression for him over the long term. He considers unhealthy competition and a lack of recognition for his efforts and limited opportunities for advancement as reasons for his declining motivation in the workplace.
Idris says: “For now, I am forced to work in a stressful environment, whatever the conditions. Our work involves money, and the smallest mistake can determine the course of your career, so we face enormous pressure and stress. On top of that, the banking environment is competitive. Although colleagues appear helpful on the surface, they do not want anyone to get ahead of them. Our efforts and hard work are also not fully recognized, and opportunities for promotion are scarce. If I ever get the chance, the first change I will make is to leave this stressful environment and have my own business.”
Meanwhile, some employers and more experienced professionals advise young people newly entering the job market to maintain warm relations with their colleagues and to strike a balance between their work and personal lives so as not to fall into occupational depression.
These experienced employers and employees add that they too faced such challenges and experiences in the early days of their careers, but were able to resolve them by speaking with their department manager or a colleague.
Rashed Amin, one of the employers, says that although his workload is heavy and he is sometimes forced to work continuously for many days and nights, he has not fallen into occupational depression. He advises young people to maintain their relationships with their families alongside their work and to set aside time for leisure and rest.
Rashed says: “My work carries a lot of pressure, and sometimes I can barely find time for a day off, but I try to set aside some time for leisure alongside work. Because work will always be there, but we must also make time for ourselves. The better my work goes and the better income I have, the less I feel the fatigue of work.”
Zubair, who has 18 years of work experience in private offices, advises young people newly entering the job market to build good relationships with their colleagues, to work on improving their capacities and skills, and to strike a balance between work, personal relationships, and family life.
This employee also calls on both government and private institutions to provide their employees with psychological counselors and professional development programs so that if employees face problems or psychological pressure, they can easily address them. He says: “Work pressure, the nature of the job, salary levels, and working conditions can all play a role in causing occupational depression. Enthusiasm for work, good relationships with colleagues and managers, and achieving a balance between work and family life are among the factors that can prevent the onset of depression. In our workplace, conditions are relatively good because the work is not monotonous, relations among colleagues are good, and salaries are adequate, as this is a standard and professionally run office.”
Meanwhile, several psychiatrists say that occupational depression can manifest through various symptoms among employees and, if left unaddressed, can put their mental health at serious risk.
Nargis Talash, one of the psychiatrists, says: “Arriving late to work, reduced concentration, disinterest in one’s duties, and persistent fatigue are among the symptoms of occupational depression. One of the best ways young working professionals can manage this problem is through proper time management. Having regular sleep, reducing pressure and working hours, engaging in leisure activities, achieving mental calm, practicing yoga, and taking part in sports they enjoy can all contribute to maintaining mental health.”
Ms. Talash further adds that employees should not sacrifice their personal lives for the sake of work: “Some people, when they become absorbed in their work, distance themselves from their families and personal lives and sacrifice everything for work, while this can put their mental health at serious risk. It is better for people to also spend time with their families alongside work.” According to her, learning new skills such as language training and building self-confidence can also help improve mental well-being and reduce psychological pressures on employees.
Rizwana Rahimi, another psychiatrist, says: “If those suffering from occupational depression are not given proper attention, the condition can lead to serious mental health problems, including clinical depression, severe anxiety, and even complete burnout. Furthermore, an increase in workplace errors, reduced creativity, and leaving one’s job are common consequences of this condition.”
Occupational depression is a type of mood disorder caused by work-related factors and is accompanied by symptoms such as persistent lack of motivation, feelings of worthlessness, reduced concentration, chronic fatigue, and a decline in professional performance.
Various reports on the employment situation of young people in Afghanistan indicate that occupational depression has become one of the serious social challenges among youth, a phenomenon rooted in unemployment, job insecurity, lack of growth opportunities, economic pressures, and the mismatch between education and the labor market.
According to the findings of a new study, mental health challenges among the working population worldwide are on the rise. The research shows that workers across various professions are experiencing higher levels of stress than in the past, are taking more sick leave, and expect greater support from their employers.
Surveys conducted by AXA and IPSOS institutions across 16 different countries among individuals aged 18 to 75 present a worrying picture of the deteriorating state of mental health, particularly in workplace environments.
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