Kathmandu, July 15 - Nepal has launched a comprehensive Mental Health Support Programme (MSP) aimed at institutionalizing quality, rights-based mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services across the country's public health system. The initiative seeks to address Nepal's growing mental health challenges by strengthening governance, expanding service delivery, improving workforce capacity, and increasing access to mental healthcare at the federal, provincial, and local levels.
The programme is being jointly implemented by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), UNFPA, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) with financial support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Running from December 2025 to November 2028, the project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.4, which promotes mental health and well-being while reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.
According to the programme framework, MSP responds to Nepal's substantial mental health burden, persistent treatment gap, and the limited integration of mental health services within the public healthcare system. The initiative prioritizes institutional reforms to ensure that mental health and psychosocial support become an integral component of primary healthcare services.
The programme will be implemented in 12 municipalities across Karnali, Lumbini, and Madhesh provinces, alongside selected interventions in Kathmandu. It is expected to directly benefit approximately 54,000 people, with a particular focus on youth, women, marginalized communities, and conflict-affected populations who often face greater barriers to accessing mental health services.
Beyond improving clinical services, the programme emphasizes strengthening coordination among government agencies, developing skilled mental health professionals, fostering public-private partnerships, and introducing digital mental health solutions to improve the accessibility and quality of care.
The initiative is being carried out in close collaboration with Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the National Planning Commission, the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, provincial governments, local governments, hospitals, training institutions, universities, professional associations, and private healthcare providers.
The programme's long-term objective is to improve the mental health and psychosocial well-being of communities across Nepal by embedding sustainable, quality MHPSS services within the country's public health system. Special attention will be given to disadvantaged groups and conflict-affected individuals to ensure equitable access to essential mental health care.
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