Working for well-being of community members
Kashmir is facing a growing mental health crisis, with loneliness, failed romantic relationships and intense parental pressure emerging as major causes behind the rising number of suicides.
Experts have expressed serious concern over the trend, describing the situation as dangerous and calling for serious measures to be taken to tackle the menace.
Notably, self-strangulation and jumping into rivers are among the most common forms of suicide currently reported in the region. Loneliness is one of the main reasons for leading people to take the extreme step.
Experts warn that loneliness often leads to anxiety and depression and if left untreated, it can tragically culminate in suicide. The trends that have emerged over the past several years now suggest that young teenagers, especially girls and women are particularly vulnerable in the current social climate of the Valley.
The IMHANS-operated Tele-MANAS helpline, launched in 2022 to offer mental health support across Jammu and Kashmir, has received over 90,000 distress calls so far. Since January 2025 alone, more than 15,000 calls have been recorded, highlighting the urgency for comprehensive mental health awareness and support services in the region.
Experts are calling for a multi-tiered approach involving schools, communities, and government institutions to tackle the mental health epidemic in Kashmir before it claims more lives.
Besides, a disturbing pattern of student suicides is being reported and these tragedies underscored the urgent need for a more robust, comprehensive and responsive mechanism to address various factors which compel students to resort to taking their own lives.
The recurring instances of student suicides in higher educational institutions, including private educational institutions, serve as a grim reminder of the inadequacy and ineffectiveness of the existing legal and institutional framework in addressing mental health concerns of students on campuses and to prevent the students from taking the extreme step of committing suicides.
Suicides by young men can have a profound impact on a society, affecting various aspects of community life, social structures, and individual well-being.
The biggest loss to the society is the loss of human capital: The death of young men can result in a significant loss of human capital, as they are often in their most productive years.
Suicides have a devastating effect on families and communities, leading to emotional trauma, social isolation and economic hardship. Besides, suicides can perpetuate stigma and silence around mental health issues, making it more challenging for others to seek help.
Suicides in the younger age groups can result in significant productivity losses, as young men are often primary breadwinners or contributors to their families’ income.
Addressing the complex issues surrounding suicides by young men requires a comprehensive approach that involves governments, communities, families, and individuals.
By promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and providing accessible support services, we can work towards creating a society that values and supports the well-being of all its members.
