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Nepal Mental Health Initiative represents a collective effort by six local organizations (Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub, ANTARANG, YUWA, Happy Minds, Nepal Institute for Research and Communications (NIRC), and Pahilo Kadam) to destigmatize mental health in our community. The initiative launched its website containing a publically generated directory of mental health professionals on Sunday, 08 August 2022, among attendees from mental health professionals, representatives from different mental health organizations, and colleges in a program held at National College Auditorium Hall.
Nepal Mental Health website represents the first collective effort of database despite individual, organizational attempts to develop similar databases in the past. According to Saurav Thapa Shrestha, a member of the initiative, “it is an attempt to make information readily available to those seeking mental health specialists and gives a platform that allows them to choose where they fit to take counselling from.” The website provides visitors access to information on mental health professionals from office hours to fees and the latest resources on the website. It also has a section where visitors can recommend professionals by filling in a form, which is added to the database.
The event had a discussion session on the importance of databases in mental health. The representatives in the discussion were from a different organization, Mr Anuj Poudel, Pahilo Kadam; Ms Sunita Shrestha, Antarang; Mr Drona Uprety, NIRC; Ms Riju Dhakal, YUWA and Ms Shreeya Giri from Happy Minds, and moderated by Gunjan Ghimire from Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub. Ms Riju Dhakal argues that the database is crucial when making decisions about establishing advocacy steps based on the analytics performed by the website. This information on the website is valuable to users, particularly service seekers, because it allows them to access various resources on mental health concerns published by institutions/organizations. “Bringing organizations together for this initiative is part of a larger goal to advocate for the de-stigmatization of mental health, and a collaborative effort for playing a critical role in making this issue a priority,” says Anamika Nehuray, Regional head at Pahilo Kadam.
The website represents a first step by the Nepal Mental Health Initiative with coordinated advocacy efforts planned to promote awareness across the spectrum of issues under mental health in the coming days. The initiative also plans to partner with other organizations to create a broader network to address mental health issues.
Major Services
- Toll Free service 1660 010 2005 [Available between 8 AM to 6 PM]: Please call this number for psychological support and counselling/consultation. You can call this number free of cost from Nepal Telecom Network.
- Database with contact details of Mental Health Professionals in Nepal (Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, Psychologist & Therapist).
- News & articles related to mental health
- Download (SBC/IEC materials).
Recommended Readings
- Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013 – 2030
- National Mental Health Strategy & Action Plan 2077
- Standard Treatment Protocol for mental health services into the Primary Health Care System
- WHO highlights urgent need to transform mental health and mental health care
- The Mental Health Atlas 2020
- World Mental Health Day 2021: Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality!
- The WHO and Angry Birds Friends team up for World Mental Health Day
- Mental Health for All! Greater Investment–Greater Access.
- Mental health status among health workers in Nepal during COVID-19 pandemic (Policy brief)
- COVID19 & Mental Health: Effects and tips to keep our mind healthy!
- Mental Health and Coronavirus disease (COVID19)
- Policy Brief: COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health
- Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak
- Develop and implement strategies to prevent suicide and promote mental health
- World Mental Health Day 2019: A day for ”40 seconds of action”
- Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World #WorldMentalHealthDay
- Recommendation of International Mental Health Conference Nepal (IMHCN) 2018
- Informing the World: How to Change Public Attitudes to Mental Health
- UN Environment and WHO agree to major collaboration on environmental health risks
- Mental health in the workplace – World Mental Health Day 2017
