11/10/2026
🌿 Mental Health is a Right not a Luxury.
On World Mental Health Day, Act Together under its Sustainable Kashmir Initiative brought people together for a meaningful conversation on mental health, rights, and the realities shaping wellbeing in Kashmir.
The programme challenged us to look beyond individual coping and reflect on the social conditions that influence mental health—from stigma and substance use to disability, social inequalities, and barriers to accessing care.
We were honoured to have insights from our expert speakers:
🔹 Dr. Parvez Ahamed — Psychologist, Government Medical College (GMC), Baramulla.
🔹 Mudasir Ahmed Dar — Psychologist and Master Trainer, Kashmir Lifeline and Health Centre, with over a decade of experience in the mental health field.
🔹 Mohmad Altaf Tantry — Psychologist and Community Mental Health Supervisor, Kashmir Lifeline and Health Centre, with over a decade of professional experience.
Their expertise enriched the conversation and reinforced the importance of accessible mental health support, community-based approaches, and a deeper understanding of the realities people experience in their everyday lives.
Our message remains clear: resilience matters, but people should not have to endure hardship alone. We need communities that listen without judgement, institutions that respond with empathy, and systems that uphold everyone's right to mental health and dignity.
A mentally healthier Kashmir begins when we move beyond awareness towards collective responsibility and meaningful action.
Let us build a Kashmir where care is accessible, voices are heard, and dignity is non-negotiable.
