Srinagar, Sept 28: Kupwara-born clinical psychologist and holistic wellness practitioner Shazana Anjum is working on initiatives aimed at promoting emotional awareness and wellbeing among women and communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Based in Srinagar, Anjum has a background in Clinical Psychology and is also a certified holistic healer, nutritionist and naturopath. Through her practice, Shazana Holistic Therapy, she works on emotional wellbeing and areas relating to psychological, physical and behavioural aspects of individuals’ lives.
Her work focuses on helping people understand emotional responses, behavioural patterns and experiences that may affect relationships and day-to-day functioning. She also discusses emotional awareness and stress management, including the relationship between prolonged stress and physical responses.
A major area of her work is women’s emotional wellbeing. Anjum encourages women to pay attention to their emotional needs, personal boundaries and individual aspirations while managing family and social responsibilities.
Recently, she conducted a Women’s Emotional Wellness Workshop in Kupwara, where participants engaged in discussions on emotional awareness, self-reflection and personal wellbeing.
Anjum said awareness needs to be accompanied by accessible avenues for people seeking appropriate support. She has proposed community-based programmes covering women’s wellbeing, mental-health awareness, educational sessions in schools and colleges, workplace wellbeing and trauma-informed awareness.
She also advocates collaboration between mental-health professionals, educational institutions, NGOs, women’s organisations and community groups to develop programmes according to local requirements.
Anjum said social media can contribute to mental-health awareness but such conversations should also reach educational institutions, workshops and community spaces.
“You don’t need to be at your worst to deserve support. You’re allowed to seek therapy simply because you want to understand yourself better,” she said.
Through online appointments and community outreach, Anjum is also seeking to extend her work beyond Srinagar and Kupwara.
Her initiatives focus on creating spaces where people, particularly women, can discuss emotional wellbeing, improve self-understanding and identify situations where professional support may be appropriate.
The next Women’s Emotional Wellness Workshop is open for enrolment, with Anjum also seeking collaborations with individuals and organisations working in mental health, women’s wellbeing, education and community development.
