Médecins Sans Frontières resumes activities in Kashmir

International medical humanitarian organisation Médecins sans Frontières, has been able to resume some of its activities in Jammu & Kashmir after round-the-clock curfews and increasing violence led it to temporarily halt its mental health services on 12 September.

Despite the continuing tense situation, Médecins Sans Frontières counsellors have restarted visiting patients in the hospitals in Srinagar and are offering on-the-spot psychological assistance to victims of violence and their families. With the cooperation of hospital staff, Médecins Sans Frontières has been able to treat more than 1,000 patients since this innovative ‘mental health first aid’ program was started earlier in the year. Since resuming its mental health services last week, Médecins Sans Frontières has provided counselling to 50 patients, most of whom have been traumatized by direct violence - mostly gunshot wounds.

“We’re dealing with a population already heavily traumatised by over two decades of violence, and today people are continuing to suffer psychologically”, says Maria Veerart, Mental Health Officer in Kashmir. “Médecins Sans Frontières is extremely concerned that the recent violence will only further increase mental health needs in the Kashmir Valley”.

Médecins Sans Frontières has been providing a wide range of mental health services and basic healthcare in Kashmir since 2001, but due to the volatile situation it has been difficult to access those in need of mental health care who are confined to their homes because of curfews or fear of violence.

“In this context, Médecins Sans Frontières is forced to try and reach out to patients in new ways” said Sasha Matthews, Project Coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières in Srinagar. “We started telephone counselling so that we can follow up with our clients who are trapped at home and cannot access our services. Inspired by the success of the popular long-running Médecins Sans Frontières radio show Alaw Baya Alaw about mental health, we are currently working on a TV soap opera as a form of psychosocial education for Kashmiris.”

In 2009, Médecins Sans Frontières’ mental health program treated more than 5,800 people. In addition, Médecins Sans Frontières provided basic healthcare in seven clinics in Kupwara, conducting more than 20,500 consultations in 2009.