3-day programme focuses on early identification, psychological interventions, risk assessment, timely referrals under DMHP
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Oct 17: The Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Kashmir (IMHANS-K), in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir and with support from Doctors Without Borders India (MSF-India), has conducted a three-day capacity-building programme for mental health counsellors and clinical psychologists working under the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), with the aim of strengthening mental healthcare delivery across the Kashmir Division.
The programme, held at IMHANS-K from October 13 to 15, 2026, focused on enhancing the professional knowledge, clinical understanding and practical skills of frontline mental health personnel, who play a crucial role in identifying psychological distress, providing appropriate interventions and facilitating timely access to specialised care.
The initiative assumes particular significance as DMHP counsellors and clinical psychologists often serve as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. Their ability to recognise symptoms, assess the severity of a condition and determine the appropriate course of intervention can significantly influence the timeliness and effectiveness of care.
Working across districts of the Kashmir Division, these professionals cater to people with diverse mental health needs. Strengthening their capacities is therefore an important step towards improving the accessibility and quality of mental healthcare, particularly for individuals who may require early psychological support, clinical assessment or referral to specialised services.
The training programme was designed to improve participants’ ability to identify common mental health conditions and apply appropriate psychological interventions. It also placed emphasis on risk assessment and referral practices, equipping the professionals with skills necessary to recognise situations requiring additional clinical attention and ensure that patients are directed to appropriate levels of care.
Faculty members and resource persons from IMHANS-K conducted the sessions, combining their clinical expertise with practical, hands-on learning. The approach was intended to help participants strengthen their understanding of mental health conditions and improve the application of their knowledge in routine clinical and counselling settings.
The focus on early identification and appropriate intervention reflects the importance of building a responsive mental healthcare system in which people experiencing psychological distress can receive support without unnecessary delays. Frontline counsellors and clinical psychologists occupy a critical position in this process, as their initial assessments can help determine the nature of a patient’s needs and the urgency of further intervention.
Risk assessment and referral practices were also key components of the programme. Recognising warning signs, evaluating the need for specialised attention and ensuring timely referrals are essential elements of responsible mental healthcare. Strengthening these competencies can help professionals respond more effectively to complex cases and improve coordination between different levels of mental health services.
The collaboration between IMHANS-K, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir and MSF-India brought together clinical expertise, public health administration and institutional support to facilitate the training initiative. Such collaborative efforts are important for strengthening the professional capacities of personnel engaged in delivering mental health services at the district level.
Prof. Arshad Hussain, Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at IMHANS-K; Dr. Saba Wani, Deputy Director, Health Services Kashmir; Dr. Majid Shafi, Nodal Officer, Mental Health Programme, Kashmir; and Dr. Arshad Hussain Beigh, Project Director, Kashmir Project, Doctors Without Borders India, were acknowledged for their guidance, support and leadership in making the programme possible.
The organisers also expressed gratitude to the resource persons for their valuable contributions to the training sessions and to the participating counsellors and clinical psychologists for their active engagement throughout the three-day programme.
The capacity-building initiative underscores the importance of continuous professional development for mental health personnel, particularly those working at the frontline of public healthcare. As counsellors and clinical psychologists respond to the needs of patients across the Kashmir Division, strengthening their clinical and psychological skills remains essential to improving early intervention, appropriate referrals and the overall quality of mental healthcare delivery.
Through the programme, IMHANS-K and its collaborating institutions sought to reinforce the capabilities of professionals working under DMHP and support more effective identification and management of common mental health conditions across the region.
