Submit your Article

Nepal is facing a unique convergence of political, social, and environmental challenges, leaving a profound impact on the collective mental health of its population. This year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” could not be more relevant. The nation has witnessed historic youth mobilization through the GenZ revolution, alongside unprecedented floods and landslides that have caused widespread loss of life, displacement, and disruption. Both events illustrate the urgent need for robust, accessible, and integrated mental health services for all Nepalis.

The burden of suicide in Nepal

Mental health challenges in Nepal have long been a public health concern. According to Nepal Police statistics, in the last fiscal year 2024/25 alone, 7,055 people lost their lives to suicide, averaging roughly 20 deaths per day. On a population scale, this translates to approximately 24 deaths per 100,000 people due to suicide in a single year.
The National Mental Health Survey 2020 further highlights that 6.5 percent of adults and 3.9 percent of adolescents reported having suicidal thoughts, indicating widespread psychological distress across age groups. Suicide is particularly significant among women of reproductive age (15–49 years), where it is identified as the leading cause of death. These alarming statistics underscore the importance of addressing mental health not as an ancillary issue but as a core public health priority.
Nepal has recognized mental health as a fundamental human right. Article 35 of the Constitution guarantees basic health services as a fundamental right, ensuring that all citizens can access health care, including emergency services, without cost. The Public Health Service Act 2075, Section 3, and the Public Health Service Regulations 2077, Rule 3, explicitly include mental health services as part of basic health care, guaranteeing citizens the right to free access. Moreover, the Muluki Criminal Code 2074, Section 185, prohibits encouraging suicide, reinforcing a legal framework to protect vulnerable individuals.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, Nepal aims to reduce suicide mortality from 16.5 per 100,000 population to 4.7 per 100,000 by 2030. Achieving this target requires both systemic reforms and community-level interventions that combine prevention, treatment, and psychosocial support.

Political upheaval and mental health: The GenZ revolution

The GenZ revolution represents one of the most significant social movements in Nepal’s recent history. Youth activists, primarily aged 15 to 29, organized protests, awareness campaigns, and digital advocacy to demand accountability, transparency, and systemic change. While the movement energized public discourse and created a sense of agency among young people, it also generated significant psychological strain.
Prolonged participation in protests, exposure to conflict and police action, disrupted daily routines, and the pressure of balancing academic and professional responsibilities created a high-risk environment for stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Constant exposure to political tension through social media amplified mental health risks, leading to emotional exhaustion and increased vulnerability to long-term psychological effects.
The experiences of these young activists highlight a broader lesson: political emergencies function as psychological catastrophes. Individuals engaged in social movements often experience emotional distress comparable to those affected by natural disasters. Recognizing and responding to such mental health needs is essential for building a resilient society.

Natural disasters: Floods and landslides

Nepal’s geographic and climatic conditions have made it prone to natural disasters. In early Oct 2025, continuous heavy rainfall caused severe floods and landslides across the country. The affected areas included Ilam, Rautahat, Khotang, and parts of Kathmandu Valley. Over fifty lives were lost, and hundreds of families were displaced, highlighting the devastating human and psychological toll of environmental emergencies.
In Ilam, entire villages were swept away by mudslides. Rautahat and Khotang experienced flash floods that destroyed homes, farmlands, and critical infrastructure. In Kathmandu, waterlogged roads, blocked highways, and submerged bridges severely disrupted mobility and access to essential services. Major highways, including Araniko, BP, and Kanti, were cut off for several days, isolating communities and delaying emergency relief.
These events produced not only immediate physical damage but also long-lasting psychological distress. Families faced the loss of homes and livelihoods, children were separated from schools and routines, and communities experienced uncertainty and fear. Displacement to temporary shelters and constant exposure to danger created conditions conducive to anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. The floods served as a stark reminder that natural disasters have profound emotional and mental health implications alongside physical devastation.

Intersecting crises and compounded risks

The intersection of political upheaval and environmental disasters has intensified mental health challenges in Nepal. Youth already experiencing stress from activism were simultaneously facing additional pressures from floods, landslides, and displacement. Disrupted education, interrupted employment, and cumulative stressors have created conditions conducive to long-term psychological disorders.
Emergencies of any kind disrupt daily life, create uncertainty, and reduce access to coping mechanisms. In Nepal, these compounded crises demonstrate how political, social, and environmental factors converge to exacerbate mental health vulnerabilities.

Challenges in mental health service access

Nepal’s mental health infrastructure faces significant limitations. There are fewer than 200 psychiatrists nationwide, and most are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural and disaster-affected populations underserved. Psychologists, psychiatric nurses, and trained counselors are limited, and community-based psychosocial support programs are often inconsistent due to insufficient resources, staff shortages, and limited integration into emergency response systems.
Stigma further limits service utilization. Despite legal provisions and constitutional guarantees, many individuals avoid seeking help due to fear of social judgment or misunderstanding about mental health. In disaster situations, when access is most critical, these structural and social barriers can leave vulnerable populations without support.

Strategies to strengthen mental health resilience

Addressing Nepal’s mental health challenges requires a holistic and integrated approach across multiple levels. Expanding community-based services is essential, with schools, health posts, and community centers providing accessible mental health support, particularly in rural and disaster-prone areas. Frontline workers, including teachers, health professionals, and volunteers, should be trained in psychological first aid, trauma recognition, and referral systems to ensure timely and appropriate support. Mental health services must also be fully integrated into disaster response plans, guaranteeing that counseling, psychosocial support, and safe spaces are available alongside essential provisions such as food, shelter, and medical care. The use of digital platforms and tele-counseling can further extend reach, connecting isolated communities during floods, landslides, and other emergencies.
At the policy level, the government must prioritize mental health within disaster management frameworks and allocate adequate resources for sustainable, nationwide service delivery. Finally, public awareness campaigns are critical to reduce stigma, educate communities, and promote early intervention, ensuring that individuals seek help promptly and receive the support they need.

Conclusion: Building a resilient Nepal

Nepal in 2025 illustrates the intricate connections between political, social, and environmental crises and mental health outcomes. The experiences of youth during the GenZ revolution, combined with the trauma of floods and landslides, as well as persistent challenges related to suicide, emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive, accessible mental health care.
Mental health is not a secondary concern. It is a fundamental right, a public health priority, and a societal responsibility. Strengthening mental health systems, integrating services into disaster response, and ensuring universal access are essential steps toward protecting lives, empowering youth, and building a resilient society.
On this World Mental Health Day, Nepal has an opportunity to act decisively to safeguard mental well-being, honor constitutional and legal rights, and ensure that the mental health of all citizens is treated with the urgency and respect it deserves.

On Feb 4, the world gathers under the new World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique,” to emphasize the transformative power of personalized, patient-centered care in the global fight against cancer. This theme, which will guide efforts from 2025 to 2027, highlights the need to put individuals and their stories at the heart of cancer care. For Nepal, this presents an opportunity to reimagine its healthcare landscape, focusing on equity, tailored treatments and the human connections that strengthen resilience in the face of cancer.

A significant burden

Nepal’s cancer burden remains significant, with GLOBOCAN 2022 data revealing 22,008 new cases and 14,704 deaths annually. The most common cancers—lung, breast and cervical—continue to impact thousands, with lung cancer alone causing 15 percent of all cancer-related deaths. However, these numbers only tell part of the story. Behind each statistic lies a person—a father battling lung cancer, a mother fighting breast cancer, or a young girl grappling with cervical cancer. Their journeys are defined not only by their diagnoses but also by the unique social, economic and emotional challenges they face.

In rural Nepal, a cancer diagnosis often means traveling long distances for treatment, navigating financial hardship and confronting cultural stigmas. Recognizing these challenges, “United by Unique” underscores the need to build systems that see each patient as an individual with distinct needs.

A whole-person approach

Personalized care goes beyond tailored treatments; it focuses on addressing the whole person, considering their unique circumstances, challenges and needs. In Nepal, this requires understanding the specific risk factors that contribute to cancer, such as tobacco use, diet and environmental pollutants, and creating interventions that resonate with diverse communities.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of lung cancer in Nepal. Smoking, a deeply ingrained habit for many, requires more than generic anti-smoking campaigns. Personalized tobacco cessation programs that consider cultural attitudes, social contexts and individual motivations can significantly reduce smoking rates. These programs should offer tailored guidance, support systems and resources to help individuals quit smoking while addressing the underlying factors that perpetuate tobacco use.

Access to cancer screening is another critical aspect of personalized care. In Nepal, women in remote areas often face barriers to breast and cervical cancer detection due to a lack of healthcare infrastructure and awareness. Expanding mobile clinics and implementing localized awareness campaigns can bridge this gap, ensuring that early detection services reach those most in need. These efforts can empower women to take proactive steps in managing their health and reduce the burden of advanced-stage cancer diagnoses.

Psychosocial support is equally essential in the fight against cancer. Beyond its physical toll, cancer significantly impacts mental well-being. Providing counseling services and support groups tailored to patients' life stages, family dynamics, and cultural backgrounds can greatly improve their quality of life. These initiatives not only offer emotional relief but also foster a sense of community and resilience among patients and their families, reinforcing the holistic approach central to personalized care.

Care and advocacy

The theme “United by Unique” invites us to listen to and amplify patient voices. Each story sheds light on barriers in the healthcare system, from delayed diagnoses to limited treatment options. These narratives can inspire advocacy efforts for better policies, increased funding and greater collaboration among healthcare providers.

In recent years, initiatives in Nepal have shown the power of a human-centered approach. Programs like community-based cancer awareness drives and partnerships with local organizations have improved outreach and fostered trust among marginalized groups. However, more needs to be done to integrate patient feedback into the design of healthcare services.

Personalized care

Achieving the vision of “United by Unique” in Nepal demands a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy to strengthen systems for personalized cancer care. A crucial first step is investing in infrastructure by establishing provincial cancer centers equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and treatment facilities. This will bring care closer to communities, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances and ensuring timely access to essential services. Equally important is promoting equity in care by addressing financial, geographic and social barriers that prevent many individuals from accessing treatment. Subsidized care, transportation support and inclusive policies can help bridge these gaps and ensure no one is left behind.

Leveraging technology is another vital component of this approach. Digital tools can be used to maintain detailed patient records, enabling healthcare providers to create personalized treatment plans and monitor follow-up care effectively. Technology also facilitates better communication and coordination among care teams. Additionally, fostering partnerships with international organizations, NGOs and local governments can enhance resource sharing, expertise and innovation, strengthening Nepal’s overall healthcare capacity. Finally, empowering patients and their families through educational programs is essential. Providing information about conditions, treatments and care processes equips families to offer informed support to their loved ones, creating a foundation for holistic and compassionate care. Together, these strategies can transform Nepal’s cancer care landscape and bring the vision of personalized care to life.

One patient at a time

This World Cancer Day, Nepal stands united with the global community to affirm that every patient’s journey matters. “United by Unique” challenges us to move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and focus on the humanity at the core of healthcare. Together, by placing individuals at the center of cancer care, we can close gaps, foster hope and create a brighter future for all.

The author is a public health professional