Home National Health News Nepal Mental Health Website Launched

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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.

National Mental Health Survey, Nepal-2020 Fact Sheet

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.

Mental Health Policy, Nepal

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.

One in five people facing mental health problems

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).

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