Srinagar: Anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances and substance use are among the common mental health concerns reported by patients visiting hospital outpatient departments in Kashmir, with psychiatrists flagging growing psychological pressures on adolescents and young people.
Experts attribute the burden to prolonged stress, economic uncertainty, unemployment, family and societal expectations, academic competition and excessive screen time.
Dr Yasir Hassan Rather, Professor of Psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Government Medical College Srinagar, said anxiety disorders, clinical depression, sleep problems, substance-related conditions and stress-related illnesses were among the frequently encountered concerns.
He said young people also faced social media-related stress, unhealthy comparisons, body-image concerns, cyberbullying and peer pressure. Academic difficulties, humiliation and social exclusion could further contribute to anxiety, low self-esteem and withdrawal, he added.
Rather urged parents, teachers and caregivers to watch for warning signs such as sudden behavioural changes, social isolation, declining academic performance, disturbed sleep and expressions of hopelessness. He stressed that signs of self-harm or suicidal thoughts required immediate support and professional intervention.
He said stigma continued to prevent many people from seeking help, adding that mental health conditions were treatable and early intervention was important.
Psychiatrist Dr Abrar Guroo said mental health services should incorporate the experiences of patients, their families and caregivers to ensure that treatment and support addressed their practical needs.
Guroo said Jammu and Kashmir was not covered by the National Mental Health Survey conducted in 2015–16, which covered 12 states and found that around 13.7 per cent of the population had experienced a mental health condition at some point in their lives. He said the second round of the survey was underway and would include Jammu and Kashmir, potentially providing region-specific data.
He identified depression, anxiety, trauma-related conditions and substance use among the common concerns in clinical practice, noting that employment uncertainty, the pandemic, years of conflict and social media had added to psychological pressures.
While awareness has improved, Guroo said stigma and gaps in mental health infrastructure remained challenges. Citing figures recently shared by the Union government in Parliament, he said Jammu and Kashmir had around 120 psychiatrists and 40 clinical psychologists across the government and private sectors.
He called for integrating mental health services into primary healthcare, deploying trained doctors across districts, conducting awareness programmes in schools and workplaces, and expanding addiction treatment facilities.
Guroo also highlighted the role of Tele-MANAS in improving access to mental health support and urged people experiencing distress to approach trusted individuals and seek professional help without hesitation.
