When the central government scrapped Article 370, normal life as we knew it came to a full halt across the union territory. The situation was more troubling in the Valley of Kashmir where the fears of law and order problems were high and the security forces had to take strict measures to ensure that calm prevails. The shutdown took an immense toll on the mental health of people and especially youngsters who were confined to their home like birds are jailed in the cages. And just when the situation was showing signs of improvement and the change in political status of Jammu and Kashmir was accepted as fait accompli, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, triggering a lockdown across the world as the doctors struggled to understand the genomics of the virus - what it was, where it had come from, what was it capable of doing and such. Again, life came to a grinding halt. The shutdown was more strict in more than one sense. While the cops would allow people to go out and buy essentials like vegetables and milk, this time no such activity was allowed, given the transmission pattern of the virus. Families were cut off. People lost social contact with each other. Flying like birds in their normal lives, youngsters suddenly found themselves confined to the four walls of their homes. They were barred from meeting their friends, lest they contracted the deadly virus. Old people were also forced to stay home because the doctors told us that they were more likely to die if they contracted the virus. This resulted in immense mental trauma whose effects will be felt in coming years. The lack of social interaction is more likely to make people introverts. Instead of sharing the problems they are facing, the youngsters started internalising them, which inflicted mental trauma on them. The repercussions of this forceful confinement of people, first due to Article 370 abrogation and then due to pandemic, are being felt in hospitals which are being swamped by patients with mental disorders. Interestingly, most of the patients visiting hospitals for psychiatric help are women and children. While there are several reasons for psychiatric problems, experts believe that the two years of confinement have taken a huge toll on the mental health of people of Jammu and Kashmir. The problem is going to get even worse. In such a crucial time, doctors and other experts need to come forward and handhold the society which is facing an epidemic of mental health crisis.