‘Children report mental health issues in Indian-administered Kashmir’

By Nusrat Sidiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) – As schools in Indian-administered Kashmir reopened on Wednesday after 31 months, health professionals say that mental health issues among children had spiked over this period.

The schools were shut first due to the security situation arising out of revocation of limited autonomy to the region in August 2019 and then due to the restrictions imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19. The pandemic has so far killed 4,748 people in the region, according to health officials.

Mohammad Shaheen, an occupational therapist said that many children with obsessive disorders were treated during this period.

"They have been cornered in isolation, no school, no recreational activity and even no contact with their friends has led to the spike in anxieties and depression among children," he said.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, while waiting to see a doctor at a hospital corridor 12-yeard old Zahid Ahmed (name changed) said he is suffering from growing anxieties.

Last year he was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition that is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and behaviors that leads to compulsions of doing things again and again.

Ahmad's father who was accompanying him said that his son's condition aggravated last year and he had even started hurting himself.

"I saw him playing with a razor blade where he tried to make cuts on his hands again and again" adding that he compulsively used to wash hands, face, and hair every one or two minutes later besides being showing aggressive behavior.

"I felt like he needs urgent medical help and brought him to the child guidance and well-being center run by UNICEF at the main hospital in the capital city of Srinagar.

- Schools a buffer

Even as Ahmed after a series of counseling sessions has shown recovery, health officials said hundreds of other children in the countryside are not even taken to hospitals for treatment.

Health professionals say the reopening of schools is a good step and it will automatically help in cutting down the stress levels in children.

"Schools act as buffer zones for children where school climate, classroom behavior, engagement in learning, and students’ sense of connectedness and well-being will improve as well," said Isha Malik- a clinical psychologist.

Media outlets reported that when students returned to schools after 31 months, many of them did not recognize their classmates, as they saw the first time since August 2019.

"I don't even recognize myself right now, let alone any of my friends. I forgot my bus number, my class. Now I'm looking all around trying to look for someone I remember," Qariya, a class nine student at the Delhi Public School in Srinagar, told a TV network.

Bazila was in sixth grade when school was closed for summer break in July 2019. Today, she is in grade ninth.

"It was a difficult task to recognize names and faces. We are back in school after such a long time. There was lots of commotion and a little nervousness as well," she said.