Over the past few years, Kashmir has been witnessing a deeply troubling and steadily escalating mental health crisis among its youth. Adolescents and young adults, both girls and boys, are increasingly grappling with depression at an alarming rate. What was once considered an individual or isolated problem has now emerged as a widespread social concern, cutting across gender, class, and locality. Multiple studies and surveys conducted in recent years reveal a stark reality: depression has become one of the most pressing yet under-addressed challenges facing the younger generation of Kashmir.

A 2024 survey on current psychiatric disorders highlights a clear gender disparity in the prevalence of depression. According to the findings, depression affects 12.9% of females compared to 8.4% of males, establishing a ratio of approximately 1.5 girls or women for every one boy or man suffering from the condition. These figures are further reinforced by a comprehensive mental health survey conducted jointly by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, which found that 50% of females showed symptoms of depression, compared to 37% of males. Such statistics compel society to ask an uncomfortable but necessary question: Why are girls and women bearing a disproportionately heavier psychological burden?
One of the most significant reasons behind the higher prevalence of depression among Kashmiri girls and women is the deep-seated anxiety surrounding marriage and future security. For many young women, marriage is not a choice shaped by personal readiness or confidence, but a societal expectation imposed through family pressure and tradition. They are often compelled to consider lifelong commitments without genuine assurance about the character, moral values, or lifestyle of the man they may marry. A growing distrust toward the present generation of boys has intensified this fear, as many girls no longer feel confident about their piety, responsibility, or emotional stability. The widespread presence of substance abuse, drug addiction, and involvement in immoral or reckless activities has created a climate of uncertainty, forcing young women to constantly question how their future lives will unfold and whether they will find safety, respect, and understanding in marriage.
This anxiety is further compounded by persistent societal pressure related to in-laws, adjustment, and silent endurance. Girls are expected to accept unfamiliar environments and relationships without voicing fear or hesitation, making marriage itself a source of psychological trauma. Being repeatedly reminded that they must adapt regardless of circumstances leaves many feeling powerless and unheard. Girls tend to be more concerned about their future because marriage shapes their entire existence emotionally, socially, and economically. The perceived decline in courtesy, morality, and ethical conduct among sections of today’s youth fuels relentless overthinking. Constant exposure to stories of failed marriages, domestic distress, and substance-related harm traps young women in a cycle of fear and mental exhaustion. Over time, this sustained emotional strain manifests as anxiety, insecurity, and depression, silently consuming their mental well-being. Islam recognizes the emotional vulnerability of human beings and strongly emphasizes compassion, justice, and protection from harm. The Qur’an states: “And do not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286). When societal expectations, fears, and uncertainties exceed a person’s emotional capacity, especially without adequate support, the consequences manifest in psychological distress. Unfortunately, the emotional struggles of women are often dismissed, silenced, or normalized, further deepening their suffering.
While female depression is more prevalent, young men in Kashmir are by no means immune to this crisis. However, the reasons underlying male depression often differ in nature. Contrary to popular belief, unemployment (Berozgari) alone is not always the primary cause. A significant factor is (Baikaari), a state of enforced idleness, lack of purpose, and absence of meaningful engagement. When young men find themselves without productive direction, discipline, or constructive goals, they become vulnerable to frustration, comparison, and self-doubt. Another major contributor is competition beyond one’s capacity. Many young men are trapped in a relentless cycle of social comparison, measuring their worth against others in terms of wealth, property, vehicles, homes, and lifestyle. This race, driven by societal pressure and unrealistic standards, often exceeds individual strength and resources, leading to chronic stress and feelings of failure. The Qur’an warns against such destructive comparison: “Do not wish for that by which Allah Azawajal has made some of you exceed others.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:32) This constant comparison erodes inner peace. It fosters dissatisfaction, a state the Prophet Muhammad PBUH cautioned against. He said: “Richness is not having many possessions, but richness is being content with oneself.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
Both genders, though affected differently, share a common struggle: the absence of emotional resilience, spiritual grounding, and community-level support systems. Modern pressures, social media influence, erosion of family dialogue, and weakening moral anchors have collectively intensified mental health vulnerabilities. Islam places immense importance on emotional well-being, hope, and patience. Allah reassures in the Qur’an: “Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Surah Ash-Sharh 94:6) This aayah is not merely spiritual consolation but a call to persevere with faith, action, and collective responsibility. The Prophet PBUH also emphasized empathy and mutual care within society: “The believers, in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy, are like one body.” (Sahih Muslim).
Addressing depression among Kashmiri youth, therefore, cannot remain confined to hospitals or surveys alone. It requires families to foster open communication, communities to remove stigma around mental illness, religious leaders to address emotional health from the pulpit, and policymakers to invest in accessible mental health services. Depression is not a weakness of faith, character, or willpower. It is a human condition that demands understanding, prevention, and care. If left unaddressed, it threatens not only individual lives but the moral and social fabric of future generations. Kashmir’s youth deserve hope, purpose, and reassurance rooted in compassion, guided by faith, and supported by society at large.
Only through collective introspection and action can this silent crisis be confronted before it deepens further.

Email:------------- midrameraj@gmail.com