KATHMANDU, May 21: Mental health experts and activists have stressed the need for initiating physical, social, emotional and psychological efforts to ensure better mental health.

Speaking at an interaction jointly organized by 'Juggernaut Mindset' and 'Mental Health for All' on Monday,  five keynote speakers including mental health experts and psychiatrists presented their views and ideas reflecting on the country's scenario of mental health related problems.

Mental health rights activist Jagannath Lamichhane advocated the BED (Body awareness, Exercise and Diet) approach to enhance both physical and mental well-being.

He further stressed the fact that it takes physical, social, emotional and psychological efforts to ensure better mental health. 

Furthermore, reproductive health specialist Dr Kokila Baidya elucidated on identifying the early signs of mental health problems and five steps to enhancing mental wellbeing. “There should be a provision for treatment facilities with needful counseling given to the patients. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment should be highly prioritized,” said Dr Baidya, adding, “Better access to rehabilitation, psychotherapy and health education and services could contribute to mitigating mental illnesses.”

They lamented that only a limited budget is allocated for mental health improvement in the country. 
Editor of Nepali Times, Kunda Dixit, emphasized the need for eliminating the stigma related to mental health. He further stated that the country is in the need for introducing better initiatives and policies to fight mental health problems. 

Dixit said migrant workers are coming back home with mental health problems after getting no job opportunities in their homeland. “Therefore, it becomes important to reach out to people through the easy access of social media,” said Dixit. “The country should increase the health budget in order to ensure improved mental well-being,” added Dixit.

At the function, former finance minister Surendra Pandey recommended to the health activists to demand sufficient budget and start lobbying before the entire budget allocation is decided for the year.

 
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