Turmoil effect: 45 percent of Kashmiri adults show mental distress symptoms!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: No matter how cautious we stay, it is really hard to escape the consequences of a particular thing.

Kashmiri people are facing a similar situation as the conflict that erupted way back in 90's is showing off its colours after more than two decades.

As per a recent survey, around 1.8 million people in Kashmir, accounting for nearly 45 per cent of the valley's adult population, show significant symptoms of mental distress, a survey by 'Medecins Sans Frontieres' has said. 

Of these, 1.6 million adults (41 per cent) in the valley are living with symptoms of depression, with 4,15,000 meeting the diagnostic criteria for severe depression. 

"An estimated one million adults (26 per cent) in the valley are living with significant symptoms, anxiety-related disorders," said the survey.

The survey said nearly one in five(19 per cent) adults in Kashmir is living with significant PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms, representing 7,71,000 ind with 2,48,000(6 per cent) meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The survey emphasised employment generation, decentralisation of services, community awareness programmes, early detection and availability of medical services for improved mental health.

(With IANS inputs)