The Government of Nepal and the United Nations today launched the Joint UN Mental Health Support Program (2025–2028), a three-year initiative to strengthen Nepal's mental health system.
The program’s objective is to expand access to quality mental health and psychosocial support services across the federal, provincial, and local levels.
Funded by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Program will be jointly implemented by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
It will support mental health system in Karnali, Lumbini, and Madhes Provinces while advancing key national priorities, including policy reform, workforce development, digital learning infrastructure, and partnerships with the private sector to improve access to mental health services.
The launch brought together senior government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, youth leaders, people with lived experience, and members of the diplomatic community.
Participants emphasized that investing in mental health is critical not only to improving health outcomes, but also to advancing education, productivity, social inclusion, and Nepal's long-term economic development.
The program comes at a time when demand for mental health services is growing rapidly in Nepal.
The Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NMICS) 2024–25 found that 9.3 percent of young people aged 15–24 reported symptoms of depression or anxiety, with young women nearly twice as likely as young men to experience psychological distress.
Despite significant policy progress, including the National Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan (2020–2025), services remain fragmented, concentrated in urban areas, and limited by a shortage of trained professionals.
"Today's launch marks an important milestone for improving mental health and well-being in Nepal. We value the support of the Government of Switzerland and UN partners as we work together to ensure mental health services are accessible to everyone who needs them," said Dr Shree Krishna Shrestha, Additional Health Secretary.
Highlighting the economic case for investment, Lila Peters Yahia, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal, noted that mental illness costs Nepal an estimated Rs 18.7 billion annually—nearly half a percent of the country's GDP. "Investing in mental health is an investment in human capital, productive workforce, stronger families, and a more prosperous Nepal," she said.
Dr Danielle Meuwly, Ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal, emphasized that mental health is both a human rights and development priority. "This Programme provides an opportunity to make a stronger, nationally owned mental health and psychosocial support system," she said.
Over the next three years, the program will strengthen integrated, rights-based mental health and psychosocial support services across the three target provinces through collaboration with government and private sector partners.
"On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Population, the Department of Health Services, and the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, we will implement this Program with full partnership and ownership," said Dr Anuj Bhattachan, Acting Director General, Department of Health Services.
