Kalsoom Kazmi holds consultations on education, youth and mental health in AJK

MUZAFFARABAD: Ms Kalsoom B. Kazmi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Brilliance Foundation Inc., USA, and an educator and human rights consultant, held a series of high-level meetings with women leaders, educators and community stakeholders during her visit to Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on capacity-building, youth development and mental health awareness.During her visit, Ms Kazmi met with women leaders from across AJK, including representatives from the education sector, schools, colleges, the legal fraternity, teaching community, police, and other public institutions. The interactions provided a rare cross-sector platform for dialogue on women’s leadership, professional development and the challenges faced by women working in public service roles.Participants discussed practical ways to strengthen women’s participation in decision-making, improve institutional support systems, and expand access to professional training, particularly for teachers, school administrators and young women entering the workforce.In a second round of engagements, Ms Kazmi held an extensive discussion with educators, faculty members and professors of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK), along with community leaders and departmental representatives. The conversations explored possibilities for collaborative training programmes, curriculum support, and professional development initiatives for schools, youth and women professionals in the region.A central theme across both meetings was the growing concern over mental health stigma, particularly among young people and women. Ms Kazmi emphasised the urgent need to normalise conversations around mental health, noting that silence, social pressure and lack of awareness often prevent individuals from seeking timely support.She highlighted suicide prevention strategies, stressing the importance of early intervention, school-based counselling, community awareness programmes and training educators to identify warning signs. Participants discussed how educational institutions and local organisations could play a proactive role in mental health education, peer support systems and referral mechanisms.Ms Kazmi noted that addressing mental health challenges requires a collective, culturally sensitive approach, involving educators, families, religious leaders and policymakers. She underscored that investing in mental wellbeing is inseparable from broader goals of educational reform, gender equity and youth empowerment.The meetings were described by participants as open, constructive and forward-looking, with a shared commitment to translating dialogue into action through future partnerships, training initiatives and community-based programmes.Brilliance Foundation Inc., USA, through its international work, focuses on education, human rights, leadership development and community empowerment. Ms Kazmi’s visit to Muzaffarabad forms part of the organisation’s broader effort to strengthen cross-border academic and social collaboration, and to support locally driven solutions to global challenges such as mental health, gender inequality and youth development.