Dr Pomawati Thapa

Senior Consultant/Medical Generalist

Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Population  

I’ve been serving in the Government of Nepal’s health service system for the past 22 years, and for the last two years, I have been working in the Mental Health Section.

To me, mental health is deeply integrated with both physical and social well-being. It is not merely the absence of a medical condition. It encompasses emotional resilience, social connection and the ability to cope with the life’s challenges.   

We all know that mental health is just as important as physical health. However, in Nepal, the investment in mental health remains significantly lower compared to physical health. Despite this, we are doing our best to increase resource allocation.

The Special Initiative for Mental Health has brought unprecedented attention, structure, and investment to the mental health sector within Nepal’s health system. It has played a crucial role in implementing national priorities outlined in the National Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan. The initiative has also strengthened governance by supporting policy development, program implementation and creation of technical tools and guidelines.

It has introduced small-scale demonstration projects to refine innovations, such as, integrating mental health into district-level mental health system development, implementing the Model Municipality Toolkit, and establishing suicide prevention and registry systems. These efforts have been instrumental in bridging the gap between communities and dedicated mental health services.

In recent years, we have witnessed significant progress in Nepal’s mental health system. There has been a clear expansion in the availability of services, both geographically and in the range of services offered. Strong and visible government leadership and commitment at all levels have been key to this progress.

The initiative has also successfully leveraged domestic financial resources, encouraging greater national investment in mental health.

Perhaps most importantly, we’ve seen a meaningful shift in public attitudes. There is growing openness to discussing mental health issues and seeking help. Stigma and discrimination are gradually decreasing.

I feel honored to be in a position to contribute to such meaningful change in our country. We are witnessing historic progress in mental health, and it is our responsibility to sustain this momentum. As a government official, I am deeply committed to institutionalizing these efforts so that every Nepali can access quality mental health care – now and in the future.

Photo credit for all images: WHO Nepal/S.Shrestha