Marking World Mental Health Day under the theme “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”, the Ministry of Health and Food Safety and WHO Nepal said people with lived experience of mental health conditions must have a meaningful role in shaping the policies, programmes and services that affect their lives. More than 120 participants — government officials, partners and media representatives — attended the event in Kathmandu.
Acting WHO Representative to Nepal Dr Allison Gocotano highlighted the barriers many people in Nepal still face in accessing quality mental health care, and called for accessible, quality-assured and rights-based services, stronger collaboration across sectors, and mental health and psychosocial support integrated into emergency response and recovery.
Health Minister Neesha Mehta reaffirmed mental health as a fundamental human right, pointed to government work on policy and legal frameworks, hospital beds, essential medicines and the health workforce, and encouraged people experiencing difficulties to seek support through the national helpline 1166. People with lived experience presented a memorandum to the Minister calling for mental health services that are effective, accessible, inclusive and people-centred.
The National Guideline on Suicide Risk Assessment and Management, 2083, was launched at the programme. It outlines three evidence-based interventions: initiating conversations about suicide risk, collaboratively developing safety plans, and supportive follow-up by community gatekeepers through phone calls, SMS or home visits.
Four civil society organisations — CMC-Nepal, TPO Nepal, KOSHISH and CWIN Nepal — were recognised for their contributions to mental health and psychosocial support.
Source: WHO Nepal media release, 12 October 2026.