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Mental health crisis in Kashmir(India) ,an important Challenge.

Article · December 2021

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Mohd Irfan Wani

University of Kashmir
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 Mental Health crisis in Kashmir,AN Important Challenge

Mental health is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes

his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work

productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her

community", according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Owing to
the enduring conflict in Kashmir, there has been an increase in psychological
problems. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic has added an additional
burden on the mental health system of Kashmir. There is an unmet and
immediate need to escalate the mental health services in Kashmir consisted of
community participation, awareness programs, and mental health rehabilitation
services. According to mental health doctors, rising suicide rates in

Kashmir, resulting from underlying concerns about an economic, social,

physical, or uncertain political scenario, indicate a dangerous state.

Experts believe that higher psychiatric disorders contribute to

increased suicide rates in conflict zones, as mental health is often

overlooked in focus on the physical aspects of trauma."For the past

three decades, we have been through a lot in the valley.Communication

blockades, lockdowns, and school closures have all raised the

psychological load on the people here in recent years," Sheikh Shoib, a

leading psychiatrist says. According to a 2015 poll conducted by

Doctors without Borders, around 1.5 million Kashmiris suffer from

mental illness. According to IMHANS and Action Aid estimates, 11.3% of

the population was affected by mental diseases in 2016. "From a

psychological standpoint, suicide is the most common cause of death. It

is a symptom of an underlying mental health condition. According to

the study, 90% of people who attempt suicide or die as a result of

suicide have underlying mental health issues," Shoib said. One study
found that 45% of Kashmir's adult population (1.8million) was suffering from
some form of mental distress. There is a high prevalence of depression (41%),
anxiety (26%), post-traumatic stress disorder (19%), and 47% had experienced
some sort of trauma.Another study found that the prevalence of child hood
disorders was 22 to 27 percent aged between(8 to 14). A retrospective study on
suicide recorded an increase of more than 250% in the number of suicide
attempts between 1994 and 2012.

Steps to reduce Mental Health Illness:-

Accept Your Feelings:-Despite the different symptoms and

types of mental illnesses, many families who have a loved one with
mental illness, share similar experiences. You may find yourself
denying the warning signs, worrying what other people will think
because of the stigma, or wondering what caused your loved one
to become ill. Accept that these feelings are normal and common
among families going through similar situations. Find out all you
can about your loved one’s condition by reading and talking with
mental health professionals. Share what you have learned with
others.
Handling Unusual Behavior:-The outward signs of a mental illness
are often behavioral.A person may be extremely quiet or
withdrawn. Conversely, they may burst into tears, have great
anxiety or have outbursts of anger.Even after treatment has
started, some individuals with a mental illness can exhibit anti-
social behaviors. When in public, these behaviors can be disruptive
and difficult to accept. The next time you and your family member
visit your doctor or mental health professional, discuss these
behaviors and develop a strategy for coping.The individual's
behavior may be as dismaying to them as it is to you. Ask
questions, listen with an open mind and be there to support them.

Establishing A Support Network:-Whenever possible, seek support

from friends and family members. If you feel you cannot discuss
your situation with friends or other family members, find a self-
help or support group. These groups provide an opportunity for
you to talk to other people who are experiencing the same type of
problems. They can listen and offer valuable advice.

Seeking Counseling:-Therapy can be beneficial for both the

individual with mental illness and other family members. A mental
health professional can suggest ways to cope and better
understand your loved one’s illness.When looking for a therapist,
be patient and talk to a few professionals so you can choose the
person that is right for you and your family. It may take time until
you are comfortable, but in the long run you will be glad you
sought help.
 Taking Time Out:-It is common for the person with the mental
illness to become the focus of family life. When this happens,
other members of the family may feel ignored or resentful. Some
may find it difficult to pursue their own interests.If you are the
caregiver,you need some time for yourself. Schedule time away to
prevent becoming frustrated or angry. If you schedule time for
yourself it will help you to keep in perspective and you may have
more patience and compassion for coping or helping your loved
one.Being physically and emotionally healthy helps you to help
others.They can listen and offer valuable advice.These and some
other steps and methods like doing exercises, mediation, and
being calm in times of stress will play a big role in helping one to
cope with anxiety, mental health and depression disorders.

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