Minister Sharma Emphasizes Mental Health Amidst National Challenges

Kathmandu: Minister for Health and Population Dr. Sudha Gautam Sharma has stated that the country's current economic, social, cultural, and political situation has had a serious impact on the mental health of citizens.

While speaking to media persons after observing the Mental Hospital in Lagankhel on Wednesday, Minister Sharma said that she has been prioritizing mental health since the day she took her oath of office. She mentioned that various types of deviations have appeared in society due to the current national circumstances, which have had a direct impact on mental health.

"I had kept mental health as a priority since the day I took my oath. The situation the country is going through has given birth to various types of problems in society, the direct effect of which is seen in mental health," Minister Sharma said.

She noted that during her inspections of various hospitals, she found more patients with mental health-related problems than she had anticipated. According to her, men, women, adolescent girls, and even children are being admitted to hospital beds due to mental health issues, and there is a significant crowd of patients in the OPD as well.

Minister Sharma pointed out that it is clear the mental health sector has not received the expected priority for a long time and emphasized the need to place this sector under high priority now. She urged the upcoming government to also take mental health as a matter of national priority and move forward with effective programs.

"For many years, mental health has not been able to receive as much priority as it should have. May the next government keep this in high priority and bring forward concrete programs," she said.