Abstract
Conflict in Nepal seems never resolving and the current generation has grown up in the environment of armed and political conflict characterized by indiscriminate killing, violent demonstration and widespread hostility. Adding to agony, the April 2015 earthquake left two million homeless and the 2015 Indo-Nepal economic blockade has created hostility among different community ethnic groups. With such background, this commentary highlights issues related to conflict, disaster and their relation to mental health. We also identify some gaps in existing health system, medical education and current focus on preventive approach to mental health. Mental health policy was endorsed in 1996; however, the policy has never been implemented in the fullest sense. Psychiatric services are provided by tertiary hospitals with no linkage to community-level primary health care services. Medical training still lacks mental health training at basic cadres of health workers and only small number of seats is allocated for post-graduate degree. Nepal continue to experience conflicts and disasters possibly leading to an increased burden of mental health problems and its health system is further distressed by the increasing gaps in provision of mental health service. With the devastating effect of the April 2015 earthquake, there is even higher need of serious effort to treat and prevent mental health problems with evidence-though limited depicting increase in burden of mental health problems. The state should stop putting half-hearted response to mental health problems and put more effort on long-term sustainable and culturally suitable solutions.Keywords: conflict, mental health, Nepal
Highlights
The conflict in Nepal seems never resolving
Nepal already carried a 14% prevalence of Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a higher rate of depression and generalized anxiety prior to the earthquake owing to the consequences of armed conflict during 1996 -2006 which resulted in the displacement of 200,000 and deaths of more than 13,000 population [5]
It has to be noted that majority of the health care services are delivered by these mid-level health workers. Inadequate training to these health workers is a major reason for the gap in the mental health services in the grass root level of Nepal
Summary
The conflict in Nepal seems never resolving. Though the armed conflict ended in 2006, several political agitations were started by confronting political parties - in many instances leading to violent killings. Nepal already carried a 14% prevalence of PTSD and a higher rate of depression and generalized anxiety prior to the earthquake owing to the consequences of armed conflict during 1996 -2006 which resulted in the displacement of 200,000 and deaths of more than 13,000 population [5]. This policy envisions access to basic mental health services, training human resources, protecting human rights of the mentally ill and improving awareness about this public health issue.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
