Srinagar, Oct 5: International medical humanitarian organization, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), has resumed some of its activities in Jammu and Kashmir after curfews and increasing violence that led it to temporarily halt its mental health services on 12 September.
 A MSF statement said despite the continuing tense situation, MSF counsellors have restarted visiting patients in the hospitals in Srinagar and are offering on-the-spot psychological assistance to victims of violence and their families.
 “With the cooperation of hospital staff, MSF has been able to treat more than 1,000 patients since this innovative ‘mental health first aid’ programme was started earlier in the year. Since resuming its mental health services last week, MSF has provided counselling to 50 patients, most of whom have been traumatized by direct violence - mostly gunshot wounds,” the statement added.
 “We’re dealing with a population already heavily traumatized by over two decades of violence, and today people are continuing to suffer psychologically,” said Maria Veerart, MSF’s Mental Health Officer in Kashmir.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 5 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
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