What We Do
MSF has been providing free, high-quality counselling to people affected in the valley since 2001. Currently, our teams provide counselling services at hospitals in four districts: Baramulla, Shopian, Pulwama and Srinagar. To combat the stigma associated with mental illness, MSF teams also raise
awareness on the importance of mental health and the need for availability of mental health services in the valley.
- Jammu and Kashmir
Years of conflict in Jammu and Kashmir have taken a toll on people’s mental health in the state. According to a survey conducted by MSF in 2015, nearly 1.8 million adults (45% of the adult population) in the Kashmir Valley show symptoms of significant mental distress. This is compounded by the stigma associated with mental illness.
In 2023
The MSF team is seeking to reach those people who are isolated and most vulnerable to mental health issues by setting up a mobile response unit, enabling the team to reach these border areas and provide training to the community and medical staff. With the ongoing challenging context, MSF conducted a qualitative field analysis to understand the access to care in last quarter of 2023. This analysis will further guide our activity in 2024.
