Peace psychology in Kashmir: Reflections of a frontline practitioner.

Abstract

This brief report presents the first-hand accounts of how peace psychology has been practiced on the ground under frontline conditions of conflict, violence, and human suffering in Kashmir. In its pioneering attempt in South Asia, peace psychology practice here aims to understand behavioral implications, exploring ways to support communities to cope and hope in complex conflict situations, where direct structural violence has become a daily norm. This report captures some of the ways in which the frontline practitioner attempts to support people's needs, living through one of the most intractable armed conflicts of the world. Practical examples describe how psychological approaches are used in Kashmir to build safe spaces for trust, expression, dialogue, understanding of trauma, coping mechanisms at intra and inter levels, personal peace, especially for women and youth. Implications and questions for further research are presented; including the challenges for translating science into practice as well as practice into science in the context of peace psychology. Public Significance StatementThis brief report highlights that peace psychology is and can make significant contributions to the psychological well-being of populations living amid violent conflicts. The report focuses on the frontline pioneering peace psychology practice reflections from Kashmir in South Asia that can offer helpful strategies and approaches for practitioners in other violent conflict regions. Examples describe initiatives implemented under challenging circumstances yielding generally positive outcomes. Several research questions presented remain for future studies to address, through greater collaboration between peace psychology frontline practitioners and researchers.

Putting science to work for peace: A special issue in honor of Emile Bruneau.

“…McKeown et al (2022) described working with teachers to co-produce a theory-driven intervention aimed at improving intergroup relations among 11-year-old children in England. Mir & Bueno de Mesquita (2022) provided an overview of how peace psychology can be used on the ground by practitioners in areas of intractable conflict, such as in Kashmir.…”

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

“…On the other hand, we will talk about stigma and MHS; stigma is a significant obstacle behind MHS (self and public stigma) and enhancing mental health problems (Polaha et al, 2015). The study shows that children who conflict with the law experience stigma and a determined-to-trust deficit, making their mental health more pathetic (Naik, 2016; Mir and Bueno de Mesquita, 2022). Though stigma is thought to prevent mental healthcare participants from rehabilitating, the exact intermediary procedures within MHS providers are still unknown (Mezey et al, 2016).…”