For years, Kashmir has measured progress through roads built, tourists received, businesses opened and investments announced. Yet one consequence of conflict continues to exist beyond official reports and economic indicators. It lives in homes, classrooms, workplaces and communities, carried by people whose lives were shaped by events they did not choose. A review of nearly two decades of research on post-traumatic stress disorder has brought that reality into focus once again. Its message is difficult to ignore: while much attention has been paid to rebuilding infrastructure and improving services, the task of addressing the psychological impact of conflict remains incomplete.
The review examined studies conducted between 2006 and 2025 and found that trauma-related mental health difficulties continue to affect sections of the population years after exposure to conflict-related events. While prevalence estimates varied across different groups and research methods, the larger conclusion remained consistent. The effects of trauma endure long after the incidents themselves have passed. For many people, those experiences remain part of everyday life.
This should not come as a surprise as conflict leaves behind more than physical damage. It alters how individuals respond to stress, process fear and interact with their surroundings. The passage of time alone does not guarantee recovery. Families affected by loss, injury, displacement or prolonged uncertainty often continue to confront the consequences years later. Children who grow up in such environments may carry those experiences into adulthood, creating challenges that extend across generations.
What deserves attention is the review’s finding that trauma is frequently linked with depression, anxiety and substance misuse. Mental health conditions rarely exist in isolation. When psychological distress remains unaddressed, it can affect education, employment, family relationships and social participation. The burden is therefore not merely personal. It becomes a community concern and, ultimately, a public policy challenge.
Kashmir has invested considerable effort in rebuilding its economy and improving public infrastructure. Mental health, however, has not received attention on the same scale. Specialist services remain limited, concentrated mostly in urban centres and often inaccessible to people living in remote areas. The shortage of trained professionals further limits the ability of the healthcare system to respond effectively. Even where services exist, many continue to avoid seeking help because of stigma attached to mental health conditions.
The government must recognise that mental health is no longer a sectoral issue that can be addressed through isolated interventions. It requires a comprehensive action plan backed by resources, institutional support and clear objectives. The first step should be integrating mental health services into primary healthcare across Jammu and Kashmir. Screening for trauma-related conditions should become part of routine healthcare so that individuals can access support before symptoms become severe.
More psychologists, counsellors, psychiatric social workers and community outreach personnel are needed across districts. Recruitment drives, specialised training programmes and incentives for service in underserved regions can help bridge the existing gap. Tele-mental health services should also be expanded to ensure access in areas where specialist care remains unavailable.
Educational institutions are often the first places where signs of distress become visible. Counselling facilities, awareness programmes and teacher training can help identify students in need of support and connect them with professional assistance. Early intervention can prevent long-term consequences and improve both educational and social outcomes.
The latest review is more than an academic exercise as it is evidence of a challenge that remains present across society. Kashmir’s future will not be determined solely by economic growth, infrastructure or development projects. It will also depend on how effectively it addresses the psychological wounds left by decades of turmoil. Healing minds must become a public priority.
