Work on drafting mental health act to move forward: Minister Mehta

Minister for Health and Food Hygiene Nisha Mehta has said work on drafting a separate mental health act will move forward.

She said the Cabinet has already passed a concept paper on mental health, and the process of drafting the act will proceed on that basis. She made the remarks at an interaction program on 'Policy Questions and Implementation Status of Mental Health,' organized Monday by the Health Journalists Forum Nepal in collaboration with Koshish Nepal.

Minister Mehta said preparing a legal basis to make mental health services organized and effective is a government priority. She stressed the need to end the tendency to view people struggling with mental health issues as weak, to stigmatize them, and to discriminate against them.

She said mental health is not limited to the health sector alone but is linked to individuals, families and society. She noted that, unlike with physical ailments, many people still hesitate to speak openly or seek help for mental health problems. Minister Mehta said changing this situation requires public awareness, accurate information and a supportive social environment.