Stress: The hidden epidemic

Jammu and Kashmir has nearly 120 psychiatrists and 40 clinical psychologists across government and private institutions, with mental health and addiction treatment facilities functioning in every district. On paper, this is an encouraging milestone.
But the number is too meagre for a place where stress related ailments like PTSD, post traumatic stress disease has 99 percent patients. Yet, mental healthcare cannot be judged solely by statistics.
The real question is not how many psychiatrists or facilities exist, but whether a person struggling with depression in a remote village, a young student battling anxiety, or someone trapped in substance addiction can access timely, affordable and compassionate care without fear or stigma.
Jammu and Kashmir carries a unique psychological burden. Decades of conflict, repeated natural disasters, economic uncertainty, unemployment, drug abuse and the lingering effects of the pandemic have left deep emotional scars across generations. Mental health is no longer a niche medical issue—it is a pressing public health challenge.
The government’s decision to establish addiction treatment facilities in all districts, expand Tele-MANAS services and strengthen institutions like IMHANS Srinagar deserves recognition. Integrating mental healthcare into primary health centres and training medical officers are equally important steps that can bring services closer to people.
However, infrastructure alone is not enough. Many people continue to suffer in silence because of social stigma. Families often hesitate to seek psychiatric help, fearing judgment from society. In rural and far-flung areas, specialist services remain difficult to access despite official availability. Follow-up care, counselling and rehabilitation also require sustained attention if treatment is to be effective.
The growing menace of substance abuse further underlines the urgency of strengthening mental health services. Addiction is not merely a law-and-order issue; it is deeply connected to psychological distress, social isolation and economic hardship. Treatment must therefore combine medical care with counselling, family support and community rehabilitation.
The ongoing National Mental Health Survey-2 is an opportunity to understand the true extent of mental health concerns in Jammu and Kashmir. Its findings should guide evidence-based policies rather than remain confined to reports and presentations.
Mental health deserves the same priority as physical health. Just as hospitals treat heart disease or diabetes without stigma, seeking help for depression, anxiety or addiction should become equally normal. Schools, colleges, workplaces, community leaders and religious institutions all have a role in creating awareness and encouraging early intervention.
The numbers placed before Parliament are a sign of progress. The next challenge is ensuring that these services are accessible, trusted and effective for every citizen. Success will not be measured by the number of psychiatrists on the payroll, but by the number of lives restored, families supported and silent suffering prevented.
A healthier Jammu and Kashmir will ultimately depend not only on stronger hospitals, but also on a society that understands that mental health is health—and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.