Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon today called for renewed effort and focus on preventing and treating psychiatric problems in Kashmir.While interacting with a team of Medicins Sans Frontier (MSF) Dr Samoon said that mental health should be an important part of any future health policy.Dr Samoon while lauding the efforts of MSF said that the area of mental health remains one of the concerns and government is taking many steps in this regard. He said that uncertain situation has increased the magnitude of this problem and the forthcoming report will help government in bringing a clear policy to address it. He said that Physical Training teachers in schools, Asha workers and Anganwadi workers can be trained in collaboration with MSF so that the cases of mental distress can be identified as early as possible.
He said that government effort will be to prevent the mental health problems in the first place.On the occasion, the representatives of MSF informed the Divisional Commissioner that the organization in collaboration with Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Psychiatric Hospital) and Kashmir University has conducted a mental health survey in all the districts of Kashmir Valley, focusing mainly on depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder. The final report and recommendation will be released on May 25 and results are currently being analysed by the experts.He was further informed that MSF is working in Kashmir on its mental health project for last 13 years and has opened counseling centers in Srinagar, Pattan, Sopore, Baramulla, Bandipore and Pulwama.