Minister Basnet: Mental illness must not deprive rights

Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said no one should be deprived of human rights because of mental health problems.

In a message on the occasion of World Mental Health Day today, Minister Basnet mentioned that mental health problems should not be taken as social stigma and the people suffering from mental illness should not be discriminated against.

He appealed to all stakeholders to make the mental health service affordable by creating public awareness about mental health.

"I appeal to all to join hands in the task of ensuring everyone's access to mental health service through continuous coordination and collaboration among multi-sectoral and multilateral stakeholders in order to address the discriminatory behaviour and abuse related with mental health", stressed Minister Basnet.

He shared that protecting all the citizens from the risk of mental health and making the mental health service accessible among all the citizens was the need of hour, adding the government has given priority to collect further investment and sources as there might be huge impacts in social and economic sectors due to mental health.

As per the recent study, mental illness is seen in 10 per cent people, out of the people above 18 years, in Nepal. Expressing concern over the increasing number of adolescents and youths suffering from mental health problems day by day, the Health Minister urged one and all to have a balanced diet, enough sleep, and regular exercise.