SAWAB completes 10-year mental health initiative In Ganderbal

• SKIMS Principal Prof. Fazl Qadir hails it as a model of inclusive, sustainable care
• International expert Prof. Ashok Malla lauds SAWAB’s culturally rooted mental health initiatives
• SAWAB’s journey shows true healing begins within communities: Prof. Mushtaq Margoob
• Dr. Majid Shafi highlights success of Pulwama district mental health program

SRINAGAR: The SAWAB Initiative, in collaboration with the Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS), hosted a landmark conference at the VMS Auditorium, Bemina, Srinagar, to celebrate the successful completion of ten years of its innovative community mental health initiative, implemented through the Ganderbal project model.

Themed “A Decade of Healing Sustaining Community Mental Health Through Partnership, Purpose and Perseverance”, the event reflected on SAWAB’s pioneering role in creating culturally sensitive and community-rooted models of mental health care in Kashmir.

This high-level academic and advocacy event brought together a distinguished gathering of mental health professionals, public health experts, community leaders and representatives from NGOs committed to transforming mental health into a community-driven, accessible and stigma-free service.

The event was graced by Prof. Fazl Qadir Parrey, Principal, SKIMS Medical College, as Chief Guest and Dr. Anjum Afshan, Epidemiologist-K, Directorate Health Services Kashmir, as Guest of Honour.

The programme commenced with opening remarks by Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Margoob, Founder of SAWAB Initiative, who reflected on the organisation’s journey and impact over the past decade. He emphasised that SAWAB was established with the belief that true healing must emerge from within communities, a philosophy that has grown into a movement touching countless lives.

VMS Founder Professor Mir Mohammad Maqbool’s son, Dr. Suhail Maqbool, paid tribute to his father’s pioneering vision and lifelong service, emphasizing the need to uphold these values in strengthening community health and social responsibility.

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Ashok Malla, internationally acclaimed expert in community mental health and Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at McGill University and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Canada, on the theme “Sustainable Community Mental Health Models Across Cultures and Continents.”

Prof. Malla praised the initiative “What SAWAB has done in Kashmir is remarkable. It shows that mental health care rooted in local culture, language and resilience can inspire global practice.”

The Chief Guest, Prof. Fazl Qadir Parrey, Principal of SKIMS Medical College, called SAWAB  Initiative “a template for sustainable, people-led healthcare.” He said “We need to integrate such models into our formal health systems, making them stronger and more inclusive.”

He also praised the initiative taken by Prof. Mushtaq Margoob over the past several decades, noting that his vision and dedication laid the foundation for SAWAB’s enduring success.

The Guest of Honour, Dr. Afsana Anjum, also praised the initiative, stating “Community-based models like SAWAB’s are the future of public health. They bridge the gap between hospitals and households.”

Adding a vital public health perspective, Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, Professor of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar, remarked “SAWAB’s work has shown that when communities take ownership of mental health, stigma decreases, access improves and resilience grows. This approach must be replicated across other public health programs.”

Prof. Arshad Hussain (IMHANS Kashmir) set the context with a talk on the “History of Psycho-Social Interventions in Kashmir”. He said “Our society has lived through cycles of trauma. Interventions like SAWAB’s have not only provided treatment but restored dignity and belonging.”

A panel discussion showcased diverse experiences Dr. Majid Shafi, State Nodal Officer for Mental Health, presented the Pulwama DMHP model. Ms. Jaana Rokka (Médecins Sans Frontières) reflected on “25 Years of Mental Health Care in Kashmir.”

Javed Ahmad, from Chinar International, highlighted the role of psychosocial interventions in holistic community transformation. The session was moderated by Dr. Imtiyaz Mansoor, Consultant Psychiatrist at SAWAB, who noted “The sharing today proves that partnerships are not optional but essential for mental health to thrive.”

The second half of this program, chaired by Prof. Ashok Malla and Prof. Zaid Ahmad Wani, featured research from SAWAB’s consultants. Dr. Syed Bushra Imtiyaz shared findings on long-term outcomes of depression in disaster-affected adults.

Dr. Imtiyaz Mansoor presented 20 years of SAWAB’s experience in underserved communities. Ms. Aeiman Rafiq Clinical Psychologist discussed school-based transformative interventions for children.

In the final panel discussion, Dr. Deeba Nazir (IMHANS-K) highlighted new innovations in Tele-MANAS, while Dr. Mir Masood Ul Haq (SKIMS) addressed public attitudes towards substance abuse. The session was moderated by Dr. Nizam ud Din, said “Young researchers and digital tools give us hope that the next decade will be even more impactful.”

The event drew a large and diverse audience, including community leaders, educators, healthcare workers, students, media professionals and social activists, who expressed strong commitment to supporting and contributing to such inclusive and transformative initiatives for the greater public good.

The day concluded with acknowledgments to SAWAB’s volunteers and community health workers, whose efforts were described as the “backbone” of the initiative. In his closing remarks, Prof. Mushtaq Margoob said, “SAWAB is not an organisation, it is a research-based project rooted in the spirit of compassion and perseverance. What began here can serve as a model for the world.”

Founded more than three decades ago, SAWAB has grown into a movement blending science, service and resilience. Its decade-long initiative now stands as proof that community-led mental health care is not only possible but essential.