‘Such situation to give rise to Psychiatric illness Epidemic among Kashmiri students’
Srinagar: Child Psychologists and Psychiatrists have started raising alarm over the deteriorating mental health of Valley children in the backdrop of government’s stubborn attitude of not delaying the examination schedule.
Despite three months of constant curfew and strikes, the government last month issued the date sheet for secondary and higher secondary classes while reiterating its stand of not making any deferment in the examination schedule this year. Government’s such a tough policy gave rise to the series of protests by the student fraternity across Kashmir- protesting against such ‘diktat’.
Meanwhile, the child Psychologists have expressed serious concern over the present tussle between the government and students, stating that stressing students to such a level would give rise to the “Epidemic” of Psychiatric illness in Valley that would kill Kashmir’s youngsters more than what is being witnessed during the protests. More than 90 people have lost their lives in the present cycle of violence in Valley with most of them students.
“Even during normal circumstances, when a date sheet is issued, it gives rise to stress level among students no matter how much they have prepared for the exams. This year, the student fraternity lost the precious months and stayed indoors. How could you coerce them to sit in the exams and expect them to do well,” Valley’s renowned Rehab Psychologist Meer Zafar Iqbal told KNS.
He added that ahead of conduction of the exams, there is a need for a proper environment. “Here that atmosphere is missing. The government instead of throwing date sheet on student’s face should have atleast heard their agony and then counsel them,” Dr Zafar said.
Furthermore, another leading Kashmir based Psychiatrist told KNS that his clinic these days is full of students who have started complaining about mental stress due to the exam schedule issued by the government amid present turmoil. “I am getting a number of students who say they suffer from insomnia, flashbacks and feel sad most of the time for any reason or for no reason at all. This is the serious sign of growing mental disease among Kashmir’s younger generation. Out of 10 students, 9 complain that they have got depression symptoms due to the recent date sheet issued by the education minister,” Psychiatrist said.
He added that the teacher community instead of parroting the voice of its minister should issue a joint statement and make it clear that how much coercing students for exams with no preparation at all would prove detrimental during the years to come. (KNS)