Conflict in Kashmir: Psychosocial consequences on children

ABSTRACT

Armed conflict in Kashmiri has negatively impacted all inhabitants of the valley, but most serious effects are seen on children. Conflict has filled the tender hearts of children with anger and frustration, and they have lost their peace of mind. Health, which is mostly valuable for a child, is crippled by armed conflict, and children suffer from psychological problems of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic disorder, etc. It has taken away from them the happy period of childhood and left them stressed with a number of adult responsibilities. Some are left in orphanages as they have lost their caretakers at the time when they need them most. Armed conflict is leaving its long-term effect by compromising education of children which is most important for the future development of society. Since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India which gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Kashmir remained inside their homes for a prolonged time. During this period, almost everything was suspended including mobile and Internet services, educational institutions, business, transportation. This paper explores how such experiences have affected the mental wellbeing, cognitive, social and emotional development of these children. Non-governmental organizations working in Kashmir should organize special programs to provide counseling/mental health first aid to the affected children and their parents. Overall, the mental wellbeing of children and adolescents should be strengthened and more so during COVID-19 pandemic, which has added mental health burden in the lives of young Kashmiri children. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)