Depression is consuming Kashmiri youth
Over 60% of individuals reporting mental distress also report poor physical health
Mehran Lone
Life is sometimes filled with worry, internal conflict, disharmony, dismay and fear of the unknown things. These notions give way to manifold feelings. There are many factors that cause depression like more focus on success; relationship issues: never ending aspirations; family issues; less engagement with people, spending more time with technology etc. In addition to these factors, there are many other factors that cause depression among Kashmiri people.
Kashmir is a strife-torn region. People of Kashmir have reported extensive prevalence of mental health issues. This conflict leave many in-long-standing heightened levels of depression , known locally as ‘tension’ or ‘pareshani’ due to the ‘situation’ or ‘halaat’. Nearly 1.8 million adults in Kashmir showed symptoms of mental issues as per survey conducted by MSF in 2015. These numbers could be very high now.
Frequent lockdowns, unemployment (highest rate across India), killings, loss of property, crackdowns, uncertainty about future are the main factors that cause depression among Kashmiris.
As per survey conducted by MSF in 2015, prevalence rates of depression were highest in the districts of Budgam and Baramulla. The rate of mental distress is higher among women than men.
Over 60% of individuals reporting mental distress also report poor physical health. On average, an adult living in the Kashmir Valley has witnessed or experienced 7.7 traumatic events during their lifetime. Over 29% of adults use tobacco which was identified as one of the main coping strategies.
Mental illness once left untreated can have devastating consequences. A person living with depression oftentimes experiences completely different thoughts which lead to suicide. They don’t want to die but it is the only way they feel their pain will end. More than a dozen people which include teenagers ended their life in the month of July alone in Kashmir valley probably due to depression.
In this regard, government should step forward to improve mental health in Kashmir. It is time to act at all levels with all stakeholders. NGOs should be involved to create awareness among the people. Due to lack of awareness, people don’t know what exactly is depression.
To reduce the incidence of suicides of young people, school based as well as community based intervention programmes should be initiated. Mental health should also be part and parcel pf education policy. Crisis intervention centres and suicide prevention help lines may also play an important role in helping suicidal people.
Importantly Government must implement social policies that are just, equitable and fair which could address the problems of Kashmiri people.
But alone government cannot solve depression problems. Parents should also take some efforts to prevent depression in their children. Parents should provide their child warm and emotional support.
Encourage positive feelings in them. Develop mutual respect and trust to build strong parental relationship with them.Don’t be judgmental to your child. Teach them positive ways to deal with stress. Listen to your child carefully and take it seriously. People mostly teenagers should also take personal efforts to prevent depression like enough sleep, eat well, workout, more time with friends and relatives than technology, curb negative feelings, get regular medical advice.
(The writer can be reached at [email protected])
KV Network
