Sunday to Thursday, 10am - 5pm

We are your companion in crisis

اتوار سے جمعرات، صبح 10 بجے سے شام 5 بجے

بحران میں ہم آپ کے ساتھی ہیں۔

We are non-judgmental, maintain confidentiality and anonymity and provide contextual support and free space.

Our Team

All our care providers are Kashmiri and understand about life in Kashmir. Our care providers have diverse backgrounds and approaches to mental health care and are trauma-informed. Our counsellors have expertise in both conventional as well alternative techniques to mental healthcare, including psychiatric medicine, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychosocial first aid.

We continuously strive to provide self-care to all our staff and counsellors, to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue. The team is continuously provided training for upgrading their counselling and psychotherapeutic skills, including specialised training in areas such as suicide prevention and counselling survivors of child abuse and domestic violence.

The team in Kashmir

Dr Gowher Yaqoob

Gowhar is the COO of KLL. She is a scholar focused on medieval and modern history of literature in Kashmir. She has written on Kashmir’s history, language and the arts. She integrates her knowledge and understanding of Kashmiri context with KLL’s mental health initiatives.

Nazia Rashid

Nazia is our team leader who consults with clients at our centre. She also runs outreach and awareness programmes in the community. She is one of the founding team members at KLL and has been associated with the organization for the last 12 years.

Peer Nazia

Peer Nazia is one of the founding therapists at KLL with expertise in liaisons and outreach along with therapeutic work. She is further involved in implementing and supervising the Young Minds Programme. She has also played an active role in our grassroots training and awareness with Anganwadi and ICDS workers.

Manzoor Tramboo

Manzoor has been our go-to person for anything related to office functioning since day one. As the office administrator, he supports the team’s logistical and IT needs. He also contributes to outreach and awareness programmes.

Syed Asiya Zia

Asiya works as a social worker at KLL. She has previous experience of working in various social settings. She continues to focus on grassroots mental health needs and works as part of the Baramulla hub team.

Tabish Rafiq

Tabish is a mental health counsellor at KLL. Prior to this role, she worked as a trainer for the Young Minds Programme. She also supports our community-based work and outreach. She believes that psychology is a tool for self-awareness and developing a deeper understanding of one’s behaviour and emotions.

Shahid Ahmad Shah

Shahid is a social worker at KLL. He is experienced in liaison work and focuses on the community based approach to mental health. Shahid believes that true healing begins when a community comes together to support each other. He sees mental health as a collective journey where each of us plays a role.

Aamer Ahanger

As a licensed Rehabilitation Psychologist, Aamer works with individuals and groups to support their mental health needs. His work spans across various community settings - schools, government hospitals, and other institutions.

Ishfaq Bhat

Ishfaq is an integrated practitioner working with individuals and in group settings. He leads conversations on masculinity and well-being with adolescent boys in the community. Through his work, Ishfaq builds an embodied and contextual awareness of mental well being in difficult environments.

Khushboo Akhoon

Khushboo joined the KLL team as a YMP trainer and continues as a mental health counselor offering support to clients and in community settings. In the last few years, she has worked across schools, women from various communities, and liased with relevant stakeholders. Khushboo believes in a holistic approach to well-being.

Adil Bhat

Adil, as a mental health counsellor hopes that people he supports eventually become their own therapist so they can manage their psychological distress independently. He has been flourishing as a mental health counsellor at KLL and adds value through his lived experiences and dedication to make a difference in the community.

Baramulla hub office team

Asif

Asif is a Community Mental Health Worker at Kashmir Lifeline with a master's degree in social work. He has experience working in different communities and now focuses on supporting mental health at the grassroots level. He is dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and helping people through community-based programs, striving to make mental health care more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Aabid Mohi Ud Din

Aabid Mohi Ud Din is a Multipurpose Worker at KLL, handling various tasks to keep things running smoothly. He actively contributes to different operations and ensures efficient workflow. He also helps maintain a positive work environment by being supportive, adaptable, and a team player.

Nusrata Bano

Nusrata Bano, a community mental health worker at the Baramulla Hub of KLL, has prior experience in community engagement through various university-led projects. She is dedicated to providing mental health support by connecting with the community, raising awareness, and addressing stigma within the local context.

Nahida Ali

Nahida Ali is a Community Mental Health Worker with a master’s degree in social work. She works with individuals and groups, ensuring that mental health support is accessible, inclusive, and culturally sensitive. She supports , a holistic approach to mental health, integrating emotional, social, and community well-being into her practice. Through her work, Nahida fosters open spaces for dialogue, and support, empowering individuals to navigate mental health challenges with dignity and confidence.

Wasim Hassan Baig

Wasim Hassan Baig is a Community Mental Health Worker with a master's degree in psychology. He has also completed training in drug de-addiction from Kashmir University and previously worked as a mental health wellness coach. Currently, he focuses on raising awareness about mental health at the grassroots level, helping people understand and improve their well-being.

Aaqib Sona Ullah

Aaqib Sona Ullah is a licensed mental health professional specializing in both clinical and community services. He uses a mix of approaches, empathetic listening, and teamwork to support people with diverse needs. As a Community Mental Health Counselor at Kashmir Lifeline and Health Centre, he focuses on providing mental health support at the grassroots level, showing his dedication to positive change in the community.

Rashid Ahmad Khan

Rashid Ahmad Khan is a Community Mental Health Worker at Kashmir Lifeline. With a postgraduate degree in psychology, he has extensive experience in community programs with organizations like IRCS, YESJK, and Kashmir University. Skilled in first aid and community service, he effectively connects with diverse groups, speaking multiple languages. His work focuses on raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring accessible mental health support for marginalized communities.

Shahana Bano

Shahana Bano is a Community Mental Health Worker at Kashmir Lifeline and Health Centre. A passionate mental health enthusiast, she focuses on providing accessible and culturally responsive care. Her work aims to promote mental health and prevent distress by addressing individual, social, and structural factors. She actively raises awareness, supports those experiencing mental health challenges, and works to reduce stigma, especially within the Pahari-speaking and ST communities.

Mudasir Dar

Mudasir is a senior counsellor and supervisor at KLL. He has been working in the field for around 10 years. As an integrated practitioner, Mudasir uses various therapeutic modalities, contextual knowledge and know-how, alternative therapy such as reike and lived exerperiences in his practice. He also runs training workshops for newer team members based in the clinic and the community.

Mohd Altaf Tantry

Altaf is the community mental health supervisor at KLL and currently he is seeing Baramulla hub. He manages a team of 12 members and runs community based mental health interventions in the whole district. Altaf uses various therapeutic modalities, contextual knowledge and know-how, alternative therapy such as reike and lived exerperiences in his practice.He has diverse experience of more than 10 years across clinic and community settings.

Kashmir LifeLine and health centre is a project of Healing Minds Foundation.

Healing Minds Foundation Board Members

Kapil Kak

Kapil Kak is a retired Air Vice Marshal and currently a member of a delegation of 'concerned citizens' from India, led by former Union Minister, Yashwant Sinha, visiting Kashmir to aid conflict resolution efforts. He is also a guest speaker on strategic and security issues at the National Defence College, Armed Forces War Colleges, civil institutions of higher learning and many universities.

Vir Singh

Vir Singh is Managing Partner at Diligent Advisors. He is an experienced international journalist and researcher.

Wajahat Habibullah

Wajahat Habibullah is the former chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities. He was the first Chief Information Commissioner of India and retired from the civil services in 2005 after nearly four decades of service.

Founder & Advisor

Justine Hardy
Founder, Advisor

Justine Hardy is an author, journalist and mental health practitioner with over 21 years of experience in reporting on and working on the psychological effects of conflict and violence in Kashmir.

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