Addressing Mental Health Crisis in Nepal: A Call for Urgent Action
Nepal faces a dire need for improved mental health services with limited resources and infrastructure. The current situation reveals high psychiatric morbidity, insufficient healthcare providers, and scarce access to services, especially in rural areas. Despite some progress post-earthquake, challenges persist, urging comprehensive interventions for better mental health outcomes.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Addressing mental health: A dire need in Nepal Dr Rishav Koirala MD Psychiatry, PhD Scholar (UiO)
Contents Mental Health Situation in Nepal Steps taken currently Things to ponder Way forward
Mental Health Situation in Nepal
Mental Health Situation in Nepal No national epidemiological studies. A few small-scale studies have been conducted to identify the prevalence within specific population. The studies show that the prevalence does not appear to be differentiated from the global prevalence (Luitel et al, 2013) There are no information regarding the treatment gaps. 0.4 Psychiatrist and 0.1 Psychologist for 100,000 Population!
Mental Health Situation in Nepal At least 35% in the community experience psychiatric morbidity at any one point in time. (Upadhyaya KD, Pol K, 2003) Suicide has been established as the leading cause of death in female of reproductive age group i.e. 15- 49 years (Maternal Morbidity and Morbidity Study 2008) Very few hospitals providing Psychiatric services. Several major cities in Nepal do not have full time psychiatrists Mental Health care only provided by satellite clinics running once in a month
Line of demarcation: Earthquake Change of perception towards mental illness of general people. Government regarded it as a need WHO created a post of Focal Person for Mental Health after the earthquake. Increase in Budget by Health Ministry Several programs being promoted by NGOs and INGOs
Statistics Gradually increasing number of Psychiatrists 157 total registered 130 working 1 Deaddiction specialist, 2 Child Psychiatrist more on the making Clinical Psychologists: 32 Psychiatry Nursing 62 Occupational Therapist ( Mental Health) Psychiatry Social Worker
Government has set up a new mental health desk, with a government employed psychiatrist taking the position. Mental health education: 5million NOKs grant approved from NORPART for the development of mental health education. Conferences on mental health - participants beyond Psychiatrists Local level awareness regular TV and radio programs
Nepalese Mental Health: A Global Mental Health perspective Does each definition and category represent the mental health issues of Nepal? Common Presentations? Examples: 5ys old brother Conversion symptoms: A livelihood or illness How much should we medicalize? Idioms of distress: Have we found enough of it?
Awareness Common but Treatable! Stagnancy in mental health policy Research Translations of words Resilience!!! Factors behind it Yoga and Meditation Family Dynamics Genetics? Is there something more?
Training of human resources using mhGAP and GON s training guide Telepsychiatry Utilizing local traditional healers and social system? Inclusion of compulsory course and clinical posting on mental health in medical education of Doctors and paramedics
