The Art of Healing in Kashmir: how creative activities can support child wellbeing in areas of conflict

This research will study how art-based therapies can support child wellbeing in the context of conflict. Our work is set within the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In August 2019, the Indian Government withdrew the State of Jammu and Kashmir's semi-autonomous status by repealing article 370 and 35A from the Indian Constitution. This was followed by a lockdown, which included blackout of all internet services and telephone networks, widespread curfews, and closing down of public transport and many other public services.

While there is limited research on children and conflict in Kashmir, scholarship from other contexts demonstrates that children are particularly vulnerable in militarised areas and that healing trauma is central for sustainable peace. As the lockdown in Kashmir eases, it is a critical time to facilitate healing and wellbeing for those who have experienced trauma. According to our partners in Kashmir, many children feel isolated, 'numb', and are expressing emotional and behaviour symptoms consistent with PTSD. Our local partners in Pulwama, Kashmir - the Dolphin School - run a Wellness Programme through which they provide support to symptomatic children expressing a desire for assistance. The school is well-versed in the arts (the principle has studied and delivered Arts-Based Therapy) and hopes to draw on the power of creativity to facilitate healing. In this project we will support the Dolphin School to deliver drama, visual arts, and puppetry, to children for therapeutic benefits.

Our central research question: what is the potential for arts activities and arts-based therapies to support the mental health and wellbeing of children affected by conflict?

This question will be investigated via three phases over 10 months

Phase 1 (May 2020): project initiation and establishment of draft evaluation mechanisms. This will be a quick start up that includes two literature reviews led by the academic team and a workshop held in Bristol. Through this phase we will: i) establish our baseline expectations regarding how we believe art therapies can benefit children at the Dolphin School; ii) agree the evaluation strategy and iii) finalise travel, risk management, safeguarding and ethics.

Phase 2 (May-June to November 2020): delivering art activities to children in Kashmir and evaluating the impact. Following our second workshop, we will facilitate the delivery of the arts activities (by arts partners Katkatha and Vikramjeet Sinha) at the Dolphin School. Phase 2 also includes research fieldwork including: a) on-site evaluation; b) interviews with stakeholders and NGOs; and c) visual documentation.

Phase 3 (November 2020 to February 2021): involves analysis, refinement of outputs, dissemination and impact. We will hold two further workshops in Kashmir to facilitate evaluation and sharing of amongst our partners and beyond. In addition, we will facilitate the development of a training module / workbook that can be used by arts practitioners looking to advance arts approaches to wellbeing in Kashmir and other conflict areas.

Outputs: The project will result in a number of outputs including a contribution to the health and wellbeing of children in Kashmir. In addition, we will produce: three journal articles across three disciplines; policy outputs (project report and short summaries); a website and blog narrating the experiences; a locally-produced film documentation of the project (and training for a local film-maker); and a workbook / training module for future arts activities and art based therapies in Kashmir.

Feasibility note: we have received preliminary approval from UWE Health and Safety team to travel to Kashmir. This approval will be reviewed as the university and staff monitor restrictions and impacts associated with COVID-19. As we have robust local collaborations in place, we are confident that we can deliver this research remotely if travel restrictions limit UK travel.