Facts and Figures on Mental Health

Many people are unaware of mental health. Even well-educated people may not have the latest information on mental health. In a country like ours, there are more negative perceptions and myths about it. 

In Nepal, people still believe mental illness is the influence of ghosts and evil spirits, the ascension of God, the sin of ancestry, etc. Although these things have no scientific basis, they are influenced by our culture, religion and beliefs. We cannot wholly deny these beliefs because people’s belief in them has positively affected mental problems. 

For example, if giving basic mental health training to Dhamizhakri may create a positive effect, at the same time, negative and harmful beliefs and practices tied to it should be discouraged. 

According to the World Health Organization, one in four people has a mental health problem in their lifetime. By 2030, depression is projected to be the number one cause of illness in the world. According to the World Health Organization, more than half of all mental health problems begin at age 14 and three-quarters of mental health problems begin at age 20. 

Therefore, the burden of mental illness is more on young people than on people of other age groups because they have to lose weight due to mental illness while being energetic and productive. It reduces the economic productivity of the individual, the society and the nation and increases the burden on the society. 

Furthermore, according to the first population-level study conducted in Nepal, 10 per cent of the adult people in Nepal have been shown to have mental problems in their lifetime. According to this study, 5.2 per cent of adolescent children in Nepal have mental health problems in their lifetime. The suicide rate in Nepal is increasing every year. Therefore, the risk of suicide is increasing in Nepal. 

According to the 2012 study by the World Health Organization, Nepal has the seventh-highest suicide rate in the world. According to the annual report released by the Nepal Police, an average of 15 people die daily in Nepal due to suicide. More than three-quarters of suicides occur in the younger age group. Access to mental health care is limited in Nepal. The number of psychiatrists and psychologists in Nepal is around a few hundred, which is very low. 

At present, there are some positive initiatives in the government’s efforts and various non-governmental organizations, such as the government providing free medicine to the mentally ill from primary health centres. Mental health is the responsibility of individuals, society and the nation. The return on investment is enormous. 

The study has shown that if the government and the office invest one rupee in mental health, the return will be four rupees. So increasing investment in it is in the collective interest of all of us.