The Kashmir Valley used to resonate with such stunning beauty and peaceful serenity. However, nowadays, there have been indelible marks engraved on the minds of the young population: there is a generation born under the tag of ordeal, unease, and depression, and the most part of the generation-inexplicably-is suffering silently in the shadows of stigma cast by mental illness.
The good news, however, is that things look much nicer. For some time now, there’s been a progressively ceaseless outcry on mental health in Kashmir. Issues are voiced and articulated by even the increasing number of those so affected; while the professionals from the health sector are offering much-needed care to alleviate their plights.
Indeed, the coming generation seems ready to break this taboo so that they create more room for greater understanding and empathy.
Education and awareness are now worth their salt. Schools and colleges nowadays start training students in mental health awareness programs on how to manage their emotions and seek help when necessary.
This is achieved by equipping students with the right knowledge of how to understand and manage their emotions, seek professional help where necessary, and so on. Even though this care-giving culture will have to be inculcated throughout one’s life, non-governmental and local organizations, as well as international bodies, are also doing their bit in raising awareness about it.
There are many such people who benefit immensely from the local services of therapists, counselors, or other mental health workers. Given the limitation of available resources, initiatives like mobile counseling units and community outreach programs help to close the gaps of mental health care services to populations.
There are lots of hardships but an increased sense of togetherness and support comes from these. The families, near ones, and communities are coming together to show compassion and understanding. Slowly the region starts to build an environment where people can find some refuge with the already encouraging talk and breaking of stigma.
