Claiming the Streets

Perceptions of mental health services among the children who are in conflict with the law in Jammu and Kashmir

“…Moreover, other abnormal behaviours like snatching weapons (Kaura, 2017) and involvement in stone protests are a result of poor self-control (Kak, 2010). Also, among youths in rural regions, a lack of self-control is strongly connected with interpersonal physiological aggressiveness (Var et al, 2011; Fayaz, 2019; Ganie, 2023). Low self-control linked to gang membership, violent behaviour (Naz et al, 2016), substance use, theft and crime among Jammu youth has been observed (Sharma et al, 2022).…”

“…Children are embedded in the community; underprivileged circumstances might encourage delinquent behaviour and affect children’s mental health (Garbarino et al, 1991; Boyd et al, 2022). In Kashmir, due to community-based violence and street protests (Ganie, 2023), another study has proved that contact with extremist groups, fear of raids and arrests foster more excellent deviant behaviours among minors (Dar et al, 2020). Exposure to poor conditions like frequent protests, the impact of neighbourhood, encounters and participation in militants’ funerals are more likely to evoke psychological stress in adolescents, which in turn contributes to an increased likelihood of deviant behaviour in Kashmiri youth (Mushtaq, 2012; Dhamija, 2017; Malik, 2018).…”