Govt, UN launch mental health program in three provinces

KATHMANDU, July 16: The Government of Nepal and the United Nations have launched a three-year joint program aimed at strengthening the country's mental health system and expanding access to mental health and psychosocial support services, according to a joint press release.

The Joint UN Mental Health Support Programme (2025–2028), launched on Wednesday, is funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and will be jointly implemented by the UN Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).

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According to the press release, the programme will be implemented in Karnali, Lumbini and Madhesh provinces, focusing on strengthening mental health policies, improving services, building the capacity of health workers and promoting innovation in mental healthcare. It will also support the review of national mental health policies, establish online training platforms and resource centres, and promote public-private partnerships to expand mental health services.

The programme aims to reach around 54,000 people, with particular focus on women and girls, adolescents, survivors of gender-based violence, migrant families, conflict-affected populations and other vulnerable communities, the release said.

Citing the Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NMICS) 2024–25, the press release said 9.3 percent of young people aged 15–24 reported symptoms of depression or anxiety, with young women twice as likely as young men to experience mental distress.

It also cited a recent study by the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, WHO and UNDP, which estimates that investing in mental health could save nearly 17,000 lives and generate almost one million healthy life years in Nepal over the next two decades while yielding nearly six rupees in economic and health benefits for every rupee invested.

According to the release, the programme supports Nepal's Health Sector Strategic Plan (2022–2030) and the government's 100-Point Governance Reform Agenda, which identifies mental health as a national priority.