ABSTRACT
Kashmir, the paradise on earth, has been burning since the armed conflict broke out in 1989. The broad objective of this chapter is to present the situation in Kashmir and its impact on the mental health of common people based on the firsthand experience of the first author of the chapter and secondary data. Firsthand experience suggests that the common people in Kashmir suffer from fear psychosis because of the volatile situation. The situation in Kashmir has deteriorated and life has become very uncertain, full of tension and anxiety. A large number of people have disappeared, thousands experienced both physical and mental torture and women have been raped and widowed. Thousands of children and youths have lost their eyesight due to pellets. The potential uprisings of 2008, 2010 and 2016 have further fueled the environment in Kashmir. Curfews, strikes, search operations, crackdowns and other volatile factors have changed the Valley into a prison where life always remains in a threat. The present scenario of Kashmir depicts violence and human rights violations, which have a catastrophic effect on the health and well-being of the people residing there. People of a cross-section of the society, including police and paramilitary forces, have been badly affected by the turmoil in Kashmir. About half of the Valley’s population has been suffering from one mental health issue or another, like psychological distress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. The available services are negligible. Institution and community-based mental health programs should be devised to address mental health challenges of the people of Kashmir. For resolving the issues permanently, bi-lateral talks between India and Pakistan should be resumed immediately for greater interests.
