It’s Time Men in Kashmir Are Heard

Beneath the smiles and “I’m fine” lies a crisis of men’s mental health in Kashmir. Their pain deserves attention.

- Sadam Bin Jameed

I grew up in Srinagar hearing the words boys everywhere hear: “Be strong. Don't cry. Be a man.”

At first, it felt like guidance, a way to survive in a world full of rules and expectations. Over time, it became a weight.

A silent, invisible weight that follows you into adulthood, shaping how you speak, laugh, and even breathe.

Men in Kashmir, including my friends, classmates, and neighbours, carry burdens no one asks about. There's the pressure to provide for the family, to perform at school or work, to protect loved ones from harm.

Fathers work long hours, often juggling multiple jobs, so the household runs smoothly. Sons push themselves to excel in exams, sports, or careers, trying not to disappoint their parents. And brothers act as anchors when the storms of life hit, silently taking on problems that never belong to them alone.

But rarely do we pause to ask how they are coping.

I've seen the subtle signs of men breaking silently in hallways of hospitals, on streets, and in classrooms. A long stare into nothingness, withdrawal from friends, late-night scrolling through old messages, laughter that seems a shade too loud.