Shahid, our IT consultant, at his first desk in our temporary roof office in Srinagar

This stage of the project was initiated in conjunction with Barbara Krieger, a senior multi-media producer and team leader at Swiss TV. Barbara’s skills enabled us to increase our mental health reach in Kashmir to a level that we had not previously thought possible. During the pilot phase, from November 2010 to March 2011, this meant developing the first mental crisis helpline and support system of this kind in the region.

Barbara Krieger and Justine shopping for office essentials. Photo © Jonathan Foreman

Due to the violence of the past twenty-three years, and especially the events of recent summers in Kashmir, pressure has increased on the people of the Valley – particularly young men and women who have grown up with no experience beyond conflict and violence.