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 2022
MSF provides Mental Health counselling services in 5 district hospitals and 18 primary healthcare centres with a supporting community-mental Health approach in 2 districts in Kashmir, and added coverage as we expanded in Tral sub-district. MSF implemented a mobile mental health care service in June 2022, which includes a driver, a counsellor, and a CMHW to respond rapidly to emergencies and capacitate non-MSF first responders. The service aims to reach marginalized and stigmatized groups who face difficulties accessing quality mental health care.
