Nazira Maqbool
Years of struggle for success, career, and family issues make us forget that we have a mind to take care of and a heart to listen to. Societal pressure often traps a person in an endless race, leaving them unable to nurture their soul. The obsession with victory is deeply affecting our society, without us realizing the consequences of this illness.Depression is an illness of the soul that steals inner peace and weighs heavily on the heart. Though invisible, its pain is deeply felt. A restless mind and an aching heart often signal that something isn’t right. Not all sadness is depression, but when the symptoms persist, it becomes a cause for concern.The rapid spread of this illness is mainly due to a lack of awareness and understanding. Many suffer in silence—some fearing society’s judgment, others dreading the taunts of being labeled weak or crazy. As a result, some individuals turn to drugs, losing themselves in addiction. This unseen illness is devastating our youth.When ignored, this disorder can lead to severe consequences. Chronic stress can trigger heart disease, weaken the immune system, and cause other serious health issues. Many turn to alcohol and substance abuse as an escape from emotional pain. Just as Kashmir has echoed with slogans like “Ban Alcohol” and “Drug Addiction is a Menace,” there should also be a strong movement to raise awareness about depression. Mental health deserves the same urgency and attention as any other crisis affecting our society.
“Mountains may stand tall, but hearts can still break. Snow may cover the land, but hope must never fade. Break the stigma—speak up about depression!”
Awareness programs should be introduced in schools and colleges to educate the youth about mental health early on, helping prevent future cases of depression. Parents must be encouraged to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on their children, allowing them to grow without fear or anxiety. Teachers should be guided to treat students with love and care, ensuring that academic expectations do not become a burden. The rising competition in today’s world is pushing many young minds toward depression, making it crucial to prioritize mental well-being alongside academic and career success.
Depression is not limited to the youth alone; the elders of Kashmir have also suffered deeply. The insecurity of the 1990s, when the valley echoed with the sound of bullets, left scars that time has not erased. Many lost their sons and fathers in cross-firing, while the horror of incidents like Kunan Poshpora, where women were brutally violated in front of their loved ones, remains a silent wound that few dare to speak about.
Although the situation has somewhat improved, the past trauma still lingers in the hearts and minds of those who lived through it. Their pain has not vanished with time—it needs to be acknowledged, addressed, and healed. These survivors deserve care, support, and proper treatment to help them find peace after years of silent suffering. Healing Kashmir’s future also means healing the wounds of its past.
In Kashmir, where history is woven with both beauty and hardship, depression is often an unspoken struggle. The silent tears of those battling mental illness are drowned out by societal expectations, cultural stigma, and the fear of judgment. But just as the valley has endured storms and risen again with the bloom of tulips and the fragrance of almond blossoms, so too can the human soul find renewal.
To anyone struggling with depression: You are not alone.
Your pain is real, but so is your strength. The burdens you carry may feel unbearable today, but that does not mean you will always carry them. The snowfall may bury the land for months, but beneath it, life is still breathing, waiting for the warmth of the sun to return. Likewise, your spirit, no matter how weary, holds the power to heal.
Depression does not define you. It is not a weakness, nor is it a life sentence. Like the Jhelum river that continues to flow despite the weight of time and history, your life, too, is in motion—moving towards hope, towards light, towards a future that is still yours to shape.
