{"id":1000,"date":"2025-10-10T20:40:05","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T20:40:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/?p=1000"},"modified":"2025-10-10T20:40:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T20:40:05","slug":"mental-health-crisis-deepens-in-jk-around-2-lakh-treated-at-imhans-last-year-over-2-7-lakh-in-gmc-anantnag-in-five-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/2025\/10\/10\/mental-health-crisis-deepens-in-jk-around-2-lakh-treated-at-imhans-last-year-over-2-7-lakh-in-gmc-anantnag-in-five-years\/","title":{"rendered":"=== Mental health crisis deepens in J&K === Around 2 lakh treated at IMHANS last year, over 2.7 lakh in GMC Anantnag in five years"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jahangeer Ganaie<\/strong><\/p>\n

Anantnag, Oct 10 (KNO): Amid a growing mental health crisis across Jammu and Kashmir, doctors say a significant number of people are beginning to come forward and seek treatment, marking a slow but positive shift in awareness and acceptance.<\/p>\n

Official data from the Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, accessed by the news agency\u2014Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reveals that over 2.7 lakh patients with mental health issues have been treated at the hospital in the past five years.<\/p>\n

Similarly, the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), GMC Srinagar, has catered to around two lakh patients last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the only tertiary-level psychiatric hospital in the region, the IMHANS catered to around two lakh patients last year, including those seeking help for both general mental health problems and substance-use disorders,\u201d Dr Yasir Rather, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, IMHANS, said. \u201cThis number itself reflects the growing demand for accessible, affordable, and stigma-free care.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said this year\u2019s theme reminds us that mental health care must not be a privilege of peace, but a necessity in times of crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Kashmir, where people continue to face layers of uncertainty, recent war-like situations and natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, social stress, and mental health challenges are deeply woven into daily life,\u201d Dr Rather said. \u201cWe must work collectively to strengthen community-based mental health services, integrate psychological support into disaster and emergency response, and ensure that no individual, regardless of geography or background, is left behind when it comes to care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Yasir added, \u201cLet this day serve as a call to action: to make mental health services accessible in every setting, protect recovery as a human right, and build systems that stand firm even in crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctors, however, warn that the magnitude of mental health problems remains deeply concerning, with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse being among the most common issues reported.<\/p>\n

\u201cRecognising the warning signs in people who have suicidal thoughts and ensuring help through positive support networks is a moral responsibility for all of us,\u201d a senior psychiatrist said, stressing that early intervention can save lives.<\/p>\n

He noted that drug abuse has emerged as one of the gravest social concerns, especially among youth. \u201cThe percentage of indulgence in drugs has seen a dangerous upsurge in recent years. Young people, in particular, are falling prey to various kinds of social evils \u2014 the most damaging being substance abuse, which destroys both purpose and potential. It\u2019s time to act \u2014 now or never,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Health professionals suggest several simple yet effective steps to maintain emotional well-being. \u201cEngage in at least one physical activity daily, as it helps release endorphins that elevate mood. Seek help from mental health professionals when needed. Avoid negative coping mechanisms such as smoking, self-harm, or social isolation. Also, set emotional and occupational boundaries to prevent burnout,\u201d doctors advised.<\/p>\n

They added that mental illnesses are closely linked to multiple social and behavioural issues, including suicidal tendencies. \u201cDrug addiction remains a major social menace that needs urgent and compassionate redressal,\u201d another expert said.<\/p>\n

Experts attribute the higher prevalence of mental health issues in J&K to a combination of turmoil, prolonged stress, and vulnerability due to social and political factors. \u201cThe stigma surrounding mental disorders, lack of awareness, and delayed treatment-seeking behaviour make the situation worse. We need a joint, sustained effort to change this,\u201d a mental health specialist observed.<\/p>\n

Doctors called for creating supportive living conditions and promoting early childhood development as long-term measures to improve community mental health. \u201cInterventions such as preschool psychosocial programs, nutritional support, and early emotional care can lay strong foundations for a healthier society,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

Strengthening primary healthcare systems to handle mental health disorders is equally crucial. \u201cMental health treatment should be available at the grassroots level with affordable diagnostic tests and low-cost therapies,\u201d the experts suggested.<\/p>\n

They also called for a soft and empathetic approach towards drug addicts, understanding their struggles and addressing root causes rather than solely resorting to punishment.<\/p>\n

Doctors further warned that rapid urbanisation, migration, and climate change are emerging as significant stressors. \u201cEconomic and social vulnerabilities increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and alcohol use. Displacements caused by extreme weather events and climate-related distress can have long-term mental health impacts on communities,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

Experts agreed that a multi-dimensional approach involving families, schools, community leaders, and healthcare institutions is essential to reverse the rising trend of mental health disorders in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNO)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jahangeer Ganaie Anantnag, Oct 10 (KNO): Amid a growing mental health crisis across Jammu and Kashmir, doctors say a significant number of people are beginning to come forward and seek treatment, marking a slow but positive shift in awareness and acceptance. Official data from the Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, accessed by the news agency\u2014Kashmir […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1002,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-news","category-kt-front"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1000"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1000\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1003,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1000\/revisions\/1003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashmirthunder.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}