Srinagar, Sep 5: Kashmir is witnessing a growing mental health crisis, with women reportedly more affected than men and children increasingly showing signs of psychological distress, according to various studies and health experts.

Several research reports have highlighted the scale of the problem, with some studies suggesting that more than 45 percent of the population in the Kashmir Valley is experiencing some form of mental distress. Experts have attributed the rise to multiple factors, including unemployment, economic hardships, domestic pressures and academic stress.
Surveys conducted by Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar and SKIMS Bemina have reported that around 45 percent of people in the Valley experience mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The studies indicated that psychological distress is higher among women, with about 50 percent of women compared to 37 percent of men reportedly affected. The surveys also found PTSD symptoms among a significant section of the population, with around one in five people showing symptoms and nearly six percent meeting criteria for PTSD.
Psychologists have described the trend as a serious concern, stressing that mental health deserves the same attention as physical health. They said people often focus on physical ailments while overlooking emotional and psychological well-being until the condition becomes severe.
A 2024 report published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care reported mental illness among 11.3 percent of people in the surveyed age groups in Jammu and Kashmir, with women recording a higher prevalence than men. The report also noted an association between mental health problems and social circumstances, including living separately from parents.
Mental health challenges are not limited to adults. Children and adolescents are also increasingly vulnerable to depression, anxiety, stress and other psychological disorders. A 2021 study conducted by the Department of Psychology at SKIMS Bemina among 600 children in 12 government and six private schools across Srinagar, Pulwama and Bandipora reported that 174 children were suffering from various mental disorders.
Child psychiatrist Bilal Ahmed said psychological problems among children are increasing in Jammu and Kashmir, with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) emerging as a major concern. He said children presenting with such problems require early identification, counselling and appropriate professional support.
Experts describe ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, emotional regulation and activity levels. They emphasise that timely intervention can help children manage symptoms and improve their academic, social and personal development.
Doctors stress that mental and physical health are closely connected. Prolonged psychological distress can interfere with a person's ability to perform routine activities, maintain relationships and function effectively at work or school.
The shortage of mental healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, has further compounded the challenge. Health experts point to inadequate counselling facilities and a shortage of trained mental health professionals outside major urban centres.
Jammu and Kashmir, with a population of around 12.5 million, has only about 50 to 60 psychiatrists, while only around 140 psychiatric beds are available across 10 districts of Kashmir province, according to the figures cited by health experts.
Psychiatrist Dr Deeba said lack of awareness remains one of the major obstacles to timely treatment. Many people with mental health problems initially approach primary-care doctors, she said, and delays in receiving specialised care can allow their conditions to worsen.
Experts have called for greater public awareness, stronger counselling services, early screening of children and adolescents, and increased availability of mental healthcare professionals, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
They stressed that addressing Kashmir’s mental health burden requires a sustained effort involving families, schools, healthcare institutions and the wider community, with mental well-being treated as an essential component of overall health