Srinagar, May 25: The Jammu Kashmir mental health services network is set for expansion after health authorities announced fresh initiatives aimed at improving psychological healthcare facilities in remote districts of the Union Territory.
Officials from the Health and Medical Education Department said the administration is focusing on strengthening counselling support, telemedicine services and psychiatric outreach programmes in underserved rural areas where access to mental healthcare remains limited.
Under the new plan, additional counselling centres will be established in district hospitals and community health centres across north and south Kashmir as well as remote areas of Jammu division. Authorities said trained psychologists and psychiatric specialists will be deployed gradually to improve patient care.
Healthcare officials stated that rising stress levels, social pressures and economic challenges have contributed to increasing cases of anxiety, depression and substance abuse among young people and adults. The government is also working to enhance awareness regarding mental wellness to reduce stigma associated with seeking psychiatric treatment.
Doctors said telemedicine platforms have become an important tool for providing mental health consultations in far-flung regions where specialist doctors are not regularly available. Several hospitals have already started virtual counselling sessions for patients requiring follow-up care.
Medical professionals welcomed the move, saying early intervention and counselling can significantly improve recovery rates among patients suffering from emotional and psychological disorders.
Officials also highlighted the importance of integrating mental health awareness into schools and colleges. Educational institutions are expected to organise regular awareness workshops and student counselling programmes to help young people manage stress and emotional challenges.
Public health experts said mental healthcare has emerged as a major concern globally after the pandemic years increased emotional distress among various age groups. They stressed that improving healthcare infrastructure alone is not enough without community-level awareness and social acceptance.
Meanwhile, health workers in rural districts have been instructed to identify vulnerable individuals and connect them with professional counselling services whenever required.
Authorities said the initiative is aimed at ensuring accessible and affordable mental healthcare for people living in remote and border areas where medical facilities are often limited.