KATHMANDU, Oct 10: World Mental Health Day is being observed in Nepal with various programs today. This day is celebrated on October 10 every year. This year, this day is being celebrated with the slogan 'Mental health is everyone's right' to raise awareness about mental health for people and communities.

Dr Saroj Ojha, head of the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health of the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, said that this day will encourage people to take action to raise awareness about mental health and to promote and protect everyone's mental health as a universal human right.

He said, “A person who recognizes his ability and plays a positive role in his life by managing the stress that comes in daily life with that ability, then that situation is mental health and 'mental well-being'.” 

According to him, attention should be paid to physical health and positive thinking to keep one mentally healthy. "Conflict, unrest, economic crisis, unemployment and some relationships can have a negative impact on mental health due to various reasons including depression, anger, malice," said Dr Ojha, "A person should increase his ability to bear such stress. One needs to develop the ability to accept and face adverse situations.”

He suggested that daily physical exercise, consumption of a balanced diet, good sleep and development of positive thinking will help in being mentally healthy. According to him, the number of patients consulting psychiatrists is increasing. Among the problems seen in mental health, 'depression' and 'anxiety' are more common. He says that depression can be reduced if mental health problems can be treated with medication, counseling and an environment where people can express their feelings.

The Ministry of Health and Population has been conducting various programs in the field of mental health for the past five years. According to Dr Phanindra Baral, chief of NCD and Mental Health Section, National Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan, 2077, has been working in the sector of mental health. According to him, despite the increasing awareness of mental health, there is a challenge to increase access to its treatment.

“There are inadequate psychiatrists in government health institutions. They are also city-centric”, Dr Baral said, “Psychiatrists have been conducting mental health tests in 22 remote districts once a month.” The government has been distributing free mental health counseling and medicine.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2016-2030 also aims to prioritize mental health by promoting mental health and reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third. 

 
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