Amid a formal program in the capital, CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said that a large number of Nepalis have been severely affected by the decade-long conflict. “The state should take the issue seriously to help the people combat mental disturbances, low self-esteem and other psychological problems,” he said, adding that psychosocial disability has to be addressed in the new constitution and the political parties should be committed for it. [break]
Similarly, Senior Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba said that the best way to address the problem of psychosocial disability was by increasing the health budget, particularly, the mental health budget. “We should understand mental health issues from both social and economic perspectives,” he said, emphasizing the need for the political class to pay attention to the grave issue in the post-conflict Nepal.
Vice Chairman of the UCPN (Maoists) Narayan Kaji Shrestha stressed that the way to tackle the issue is by ensuring social justice, which could be done by focusing on economic development.
The program was jointly organized by Nepal Mental Health Foundation and Initiatives of Media Women. Speaking at the program, Jitendra Dev, general secretary of the Madhesi People´s Rights Forum said that in the post-conflict Nepal, mental illness can be traced in every home.
“But the issue has been swept under the rug in view of social stigma. Fighting this stigma is very important and no wonder the parties should prioritize it,” he said.
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