Zuun-e-daèb: cOMMUNITY SAFE SPACE

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A community safe space, inspired by Kashmiri traditional homes, for people to express, share, learn and build stories, narratives, support  and experiences of struggles, hopes, emotions, and pain related to mental health, crisis and daily fears of living in a conflict situation or a zone. The space also helps to destigmatize conversations on mental health, emotions and wellbeing in general; to build-skills, and to share resources and create more awareness, while creating space for dialogue, storytelling, empathetic listening, understanding and expression.

In these times of extreme censorship, distress, fear and shrinking spaces for expression in Kashmir, Zuun-è-Daeb  encourages people to take charge of their own narratives, while promoting support-seeking behavior.

Zuun-e-Daeb is a room in traditional Kashmiri homes to gaze at the moon (Zuun = Moon; Daeb = Room/Box). Its cultural relevance and resonance instantly helps people to come together as a community, building trust and safe space. These sessions are facilitated anywhere in the community - from streets to cafes. Experts from the fields of mental health, psychology, psychiatry and peacebuilding are also invited to encourage insightful reflections and learnings.

- Ufra Mir

"It really impacted by life. Being able to speak in front of people is something I fear. But in the session, I was comfortable enough to do that. It made me happy."

"Personally I feel more confident now and it helped me gain more strength for my upcoming career aspirations."

"Thanks to these beautiful sessions - it has been so helpful for me. I could for the first time share my story in this non-judgmental safe space. Thanks to the curator and facilitator for creating such important space."

"It made me realize that I am not alone in my suffering; there are others who are going through similar experiences. I felt very supported."

" The expert made some points that were important for everyone to understand, for example, confidentiality of the sessions and how to break the stigma of mental health issues."