Mental health crisis deepens in IIOJK: Over 100,000 affected amid ongoing conflict
Srinagar: In a troubling revelation coinciding with World Mental Health Day, a report says that the number of individuals suffering from mental health issues in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has surpassed one hundred thousand.
The report issued by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service, today, linked this this alarming rise to the escalation of Indian state terrorism in IIOJK. It further says the number of mental patients has witnessed an alarming increase since the Narendra Modi-led communal Indian government revoked special status of IIOJK on August 05, 2019.
The report highlights the profound psychological impact of ongoing abuses by Indian troops, including beatings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings. These actions have severely affected the mental well-being of the local population. Additionally, the issue of enforced disappearances looms large, with over 10,000 individuals reported missing over the past 35 years. The report notes that while men are predominantly targeted, the consequences of such disappearances ripple through families, deeply affecting women as daughters, mothers, sisters, and wives.
Kashmiri medical professionals have expressed concern over the region’s mental health crisis, which they believe exceeds global averages. Contributing factors include the prolonged conflict, economic hardships, and challenging climatic conditions.
Dr. Zoya Mir, a prominent clinical psychologist, emphasizes the urgent need to address the mental health challenges faced by adolescents and young adults. She points to a rise in issues such as academic decline, social isolation, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, all exacerbated by the ongoing strife.
Dr. Javaid Ahmad, a psychiatrist at District Hospital Shopian, underscores the prevalence of various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, in these difficult times. He advocates for collaborative efforts to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health, raise awareness, and promote proactive treatment-seeking behaviors.
Both doctors stress the importance of a compassionate approach to mental health care, calling for the creation of supportive environments that foster healthy lifestyles and improve overall well-being.