Living under decades of militarization, economic uncertainty, and trauma has created a silent mental health crisis in Kashmir. Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse are rising sharply among our young population.
For too long, mental health issues have been treated with social stigma or dismissed as a simple lack of faith. Social reform requires us to address this crisis with medical realism and compassionate community support.
Community Action Points
We must establish community counseling centers, integrate mental health awareness into local institutions, and remove the social stigma surrounding psychological therapy and trauma recovery.
Seeking medical care for psychological trauma is fully consistent with Islamic practice. Healing the minds of our people is a prerequisite for building a healthy, resilient society.