Bijbehara, May 18: In a bid to address the growing concern of mental health issues among orphaned children, a well known NGO “We the Kashmir” Foundation” organised a special counselling session at an orphanage in Pazalpora Bijbehara on Sunday.
The initiative was aimed at raising awareness and providing emotional and psychological support to children who have lost their parents and are often left vulnerable to a range of mental health challenges.
Speaking during the session, noted resource person who was protection officer at ICPS Pulwama Sabreena Mushtaq highlighted the urgent need for consistent support systems for orphaned children. “Children without parents are more prone to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and emotional isolation. The support of society is not just helpful, it is essential,” she said.
Mushtaq emphasized that mental health care must be integrated into the daily routine of orphanages and that such children require safe spaces to express their emotions and trauma. “They need to feel heard and cared for—not just by caregivers but by the community at large,” she added.
The session included interactive discussions, therapeutic activities, and one-on-one counselling to help children open up about their feelings and build coping strategies.
Volunteers from the “We the Kashmir” Foundation stated that the organisation will continue to conduct similar sessions across different districts of the Valley to promote mental wellness and emotional resilience among vulnerable groups.
The Warden of the orphanage Bostani-e-Banat Bijbehara Ms Saba along with other staff authorities expressed gratitude for the initiative and called for regular engagements of this nature to ensure the mental well-being of children under their care.
Mental health experts present at the event also appealed to the government and civil society to collaborate on creating long-term psychological support systems for orphaned and underprivileged children in Kashmir.
