Strengthening Mental Health Preparedness in Nepal’s Disaster-Prone Regions Nepal faces significant challenges in mental health care, with a 90% treatment gap and increasing vulnerabilities due to climate change and disasters. In response, this project aims to enhance mental health preparedness and response in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces by strengthening healthcare systems and community-based interventions.
Led by TPO Nepal, with technical support from BANC Nepal and Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS), the initiative focuses on:
- Policy Development: Creating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) into emergency response plans.
- Health System Strengthening: Training MBBS doctors, MDGPs, paramedics, and nurses on mental health service delivery, clinical supervision, and emergency preparedness.
- Community Capacity Building: Equipping frontline workers, teachers, police, and social workers with skills in Psychological First Aid (PFA) to improve mental health awareness and response at the grassroots level.
The project aligns with Nepal’s National Mental Health Program (2022) and follows WHO’s mhGAP Humanitarian Intervention Guide (mhGAP-HIG). By integrating MHPSS into disaster preparedness and leveraging task-sharing approaches, the initiative aims to bridge Nepal’s mental health treatment gap and build resilience in disaster-prone communities.
For more details, visit TPO Nepal or BANC Nepal.