Kashmir’s Mental Health Emergency: A crisis we cannot ignore

In the face of trauma, however, Kashmiris have largely suffered in silence.

This silence, often enforced by cultural stigma, lack of infrastructure, and government neglect, has created a fertile ground for widespread psychological suffering.

The urgent need for mental health reform is not just a medical imperative; it is a humanitarian one.

This essay explores the hidden epidemic of mental health disorders in Kashmir, the socio-political forces exacerbating the crisis, and why meaningful reform—locally and globally—is needed now more than ever.

[FPK Photo/Omar Bazaz.]

Valley under siege: Understanding the context

To fully comprehend the gravity of the mental health crisis in Kashmir, it is crucial to examine the backdrop against which this crisis has unfolded.

Since the late 1980s, Kashmir has been at the epicentre of a protracted conflict between India and Pakistan. The insurgency, counterinsurgency operations, enforced disappearances, mass detentions, and constant military presence have created an atmosphere of perpetual fear and insecurity.

According to multiple reports, including those from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), more than 45% of Kashmir’s adult population shows signs of mental distress.

This includes symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children, too, are deeply affected, growing up in an environment of lockdowns, curfews, and sudden violence. The psychological effects of this ongoing conflict are profound and multi-generational.

Moreover, events such as the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, prolonged internet shutdowns, and civil unrest have only heightened feelings of isolation, powerlessness, and despair.

The COVID-19 pandemic added another layer of psychological strain. For many, the crisis is not just about war but about being forgotten in it.

An ambulance is being readied to ferry a Covid patient from Athrout’s makeshift COVID facility to a tertiary hospital. [FPK Photo/Zainab.]

Broken system: lack of access and awareness

Despite the scale of the crisis, mental health care in Kashmir remains dismally inadequate.

According to a 2015 report by ActionAid and MSF, there were only 41 psychiatrists in the region, most of them concentrated in urban centres like Srinagar.

Rural areas, home to a large portion of the population, have virtually no access to specialised care. General physicians, often the first point of contact for those in need, receive minimal training in mental health diagnosis or treatment.

Hospitals, already burdened with physical health emergencies due to conflict-related injuries, are ill-equipped to handle the psychological fallout. Even where care is available, social stigma and lack of awareness prevent people from seeking help.

Mental illness is often seen not as a legitimate health concern but as a weakness or even a spiritual failing.

The education system offers no structured programs on emotional resilience or trauma recovery. Teachers and school counsellors are untrained to identify psychological distress in children.

Meanwhile, community support systems have been eroded by years of distrust and displacement, leaving individuals with few safe spaces to share their burdens.

Damaged ambulances at SMHS Hospital. [FPK Photo/Aamir Nowshahri.]

Stigma: mental health as a taboo

In Kashmir, as in many other parts of South Asia and the world, mental illness is cloaked in stigma. Words like “mad” or “crazy” are casually thrown around, further isolating those who suffer. Families often hide the illness of a loved one out of shame or fear of social rejection.

This stigma does more than hurt feelings—it kills. It deters individuals from seeking early treatment, allows symptoms to fester untreated, and reinforces a culture of silence.

Particularly in conservative and patriarchal settings, women bear the brunt of this burden. Victims of domestic violence, forced marriages, or sexual trauma are less likely to receive psychological support and more likely to be blamed or silenced.

Even religious or spiritual leaders, who play a crucial role in community dynamics, often lack the training or understanding to guide their followers toward professional help. Misguided beliefs that mental illness is a test of faith or punishment from God further complicate recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. Silence kills—but action saves lives.

A file photo of drug abuse.

Youth: a generation in crisis

Kashmir’s youth, in particular, are trapped in a cycle of hopelessness. Unemployment is rampant, education is frequently disrupted by strikes and lockdowns, and opportunities for personal and professional growth are scarce. In such an environment, anxiety and depression thrive.

Young people report feelings of numbness, anger, and despair. For some, involvement in protest movements or extremist ideologies becomes a way to reclaim a sense of control and identity. The lack of positive outlets—be it sports, art, or public discourse—further alienates them.

The long-term consequences of neglecting mental health in this demographic are devastating.

It means lost potential, increased substance abuse, and in worst-case scenarios, a tragic loss of life through suicide or violence. Mental health reform must place special emphasis on youth outreach, engagement, and empowerment.

The drug scene. [FPK Photo/Mir Yasir Mukhtar.]

Reform at policy level: what needs to be done

Mental health reform in Kashmir and other trauma-prone regions must be multifaceted. First and foremost, it must start with government accountability and investment. Health budgets should allocate a significant share to mental health services, especially in conflict-affected regions.

Policies should mandate mental health education in schools, provide funding for trained counsellors, and ensure psychiatric support is integrated into primary health care.

Mobile mental health units could help bridge the urban-rural divide, bringing services to those most in need. Training and sensitisation programs for doctors, police officers, and teachers should be mandatory.

Community outreach programs involving religious and cultural leaders can help combat stigma and misinformation.

The government should also partner with NGOs, international bodies, and local activists to build comprehensive mental health strategies. Efforts must include trauma-informed care, culturally sensitive therapy models, and the creation of peer support networks.

The global lens: mental health beyond borders

While the crisis in Kashmir is uniquely shaped by its socio-political environment, it mirrors struggles in other conflict zones—Palestine, Syria, parts of Africa and Latin America. Mental health reform is not just a regional necessity; it is a global priority.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises mental health as a fundamental human right, yet billions worldwide live without access to even the most basic services.

The pandemic has reminded the world of the fragility of mental well-being and the need for robust, community-based systems of care.

Global solidarity, awareness campaigns, and funding initiatives must include mental health as a central component of humanitarian aid. Nations must prioritise emotional and psychological recovery as much as physical rebuilding.

Healing process: hope for the future 

Despite the overwhelming challenges, hope endures. In Kashmir, local organisations, mental health advocates, and courageous individuals are beginning to break the silence.

Art therapy sessions, online counselling platforms, youth helplines, and social media awareness campaigns are gaining traction.

These grass roots efforts show that change is not only possible but already underway. Empowering communities to take charge of their mental well-being is key. Healing is not linear, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. But with compassion, persistence, and the right resources, even the deepest wounds can begin to heal.

The mental health crisis in Kashmir is a tragic, ongoing emergency that demands immediate and sustained action.

It is a call to policymakers, healthcare providers, educators, religious leaders, and civil society at large—not just to acknowledge the pain, but to act on it.

Ending the silence around mental health is not just about medical reform; it’s about justice, dignity, and humanity.

For Kashmir and for countless others living in the shadows of trauma around the world, the message must be clear: If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. Silence kills—but action saves lives.

The author is Medical doctor, columnist, and writes about social, moral and religious issues.