National Mental Health Survey, Nepal
National Mental Health Survey of Province 1, 2 and 3 has been completed. Survey of Province 5, 6 and 7 is ongoing. This will subsequently followed by the data collection in Province 4 and 5.
November 2017 - January 2021
NPR 15 million
Ministry of Health and population (MoHP) and World Health Organisation (WHO)
National Mental Health Survey has been completed in 30 districts of provinces 1, 2 and 3 i.e 10 districts of province 1, 8 districts of province 2 and 12 districts of province 3. 18 districts of province 5, 6 and 7 has been completed i.e 2 districts of province 5, 8 districts of province 6 and 8 districts of province 7.
The prevalence and disease burden of mental disorders have remained incredibly high globally. The treatment gap for mental illness is significant all over the world. Around 76% and 85% of people with severe mental disorders in low and middle-income countries receive no treatment for their mental health conditions. The magnitude, suffering, and burden regarding disability and costs for individuals, families, and societies due to mental disorders are staggering in Nepal. First epidemiological field survey conducted in the Kathmandu Valley in 1984 estimated the prevalence of mental illness around 14 percent. Multi-sectoral action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (2014-2020) estimated the 18% of the NCD burden is due to mental illness. The present estimates of mental health problems are derived from small-scale studies in urban areas making it impossible to generalize the results in national context. Further, policy debates on mental health need of Nepalese population have been limited by the lack of national-level data on the prevalence of mental disorder and unmet need for services. So, there is a need for a mental health survey representing the national population.
General objective: To assess the prevalence of mental disorders in Nepal, and find out the help seeking behavior and the barriers to accessing care among people with mental disorders in Nepal.
Specific objectives:
- To estimate the prevalence of mental disorders in Nepal
- To find out the socio-demographic factors associated with mental disorders.
- To assess the help seeking behavior among people with mental disorders in Nepal.
- To assess the barriers in accessing care among people with mental disorders in Nepal.
The project will deliver a complete analytical report with a clear national picture of the prevalence of mental disorder and unmet need for services. The available data will be one of the important data points to be fed so as to produce national BoD estimates for Nepal. The estimates will be a baseline study for further researches and planning of policies regarding the funds invested in the mental disorder and mental health services. This study will also help to predict the burden and potential economic costs that the GoN will have to bear in future days.
