The National Tele Mental Health Programme-J&K, which received the highest record number of 26,743 calls, including 12.04% emergency calls, in the past one year was declared the country’s top-ranking initiative among the Union Territories.
Dr. V.K Paul, member NITI AYOG, declared it the top-ranking initiative at the Mental Health Conclave on Mental Health Day in New Delhi, on Tuesday.
The recognition has come as a shot in the arm for the initiative in Kashmir where the prevalence of depression is highest in the country, according to studies. According to a study, ‘Life in conflict: Characteristics of Depression in Kashmir’, published by the International Journal of Health Services, the prevalence of depression in Kashmir is 55.72%. The highest is 66.67% in the 15 to 25 age group, followed by 65.33% in the 26 to 35 age group. “In rural areas the prevalence of depression among females is higher (93.10 %) as compared to males (6.8%),” it said.
