Mental Health Policy and Strategies of Nepal

National Mental Health Policies and Strategies

A committee of professionals in the field of health studies, national planning commission officials, and representatives from the government of Nepal's ministry of health have developed national mental health policies and strategies. On the 28th of Magh, 2053 B.S., the cabinet of ministers approved these.

Policy I

By incorporating mental health services into the nation's general health service system and by adopting other suitable measures suitable to the community and the people, it is intended to guarantee the availability and accessibility of mental health services for the entire population of Nepal by the year 2000, with a special focus on the most vulnerable and underprivileged groups of the population.

Strategies

• Mental Health care facilities will be developed not as passive recipients of mentally ill patients for treatment, but as having an active and dynamic interaction with communities they serve. This interaction will include assessment of the communities' mental health needs, the provision of intervention measures, and action as a coordinating agency for promoting mental health.
• Mental Health Services will be made available from regional, district and peripheral level. They will be integrated into General Health Services at all levels including Primary Health Care. A coordinated mental health approach will be developed for primary through to tertiary services, including appropriate referral and supervision systems.
• Mental Health resources' will be distributed in accordance with this policy, and an adequate supply of essential mental health drugs will be maintained.
• Research into developing more efficient and effective mental health care structures will be undertaken and there will be evaluation of the impact of such structures and services.

Policy II

To prepare Human Resources in the area of Mental Health in order to provide for the above mentioned Mental Health Services. This will include Mental Health training of all health workers, preparation of specialist Mental Health manpower, and training of groups as per need.

Strategies

• All health worker courses across the nation shall include sufficient and appropriate Mental Health and Behavioral Science components.
• The in-service training structures will develop mental health components, particularly at the National Training Center and the Regional Training Centers.
• The development of mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, psychiatric social workers, etc. As soon as feasible, postgraduate studies in psychiatry will begin in the nation.
• The development of auxiliary mental health human resources, particularly from non-health areas like administration, law, and communication, would be supported.

Policy lIl

To formulate appropriate legislation to ensure the fundamental human rights of the mentally ill in Nepal.

Strategies

• A mental health act suitable for the rights of the mentally ill and the wider community will be developed and implemented.

Policy IV

To improve awareness about mental health, mental disorders, and the promotion of mentally healthy lifestyles, in the community by participation of community structures, and amongst health workers.

Strategies

• There will be a commitment to interaction with community structures. (e.g. school, NGOs, traditional healers etc.) in order to highlight and promote mental health awareness and issues.
• There will be provision of adequate mental health input to all levels of academic health worker curricula and in addition appropriate in- service mental health training will be provided for health workers already in the field.