Kathmandu: Nepal Mental Health Initiative on Sunday launched a website amidst a program held at a program held at the National College in Kathmandu.
The website represents the first collective effort of database despite individual, organizational attempts to develop similar databases in the past, the organization said in a press release.
According to a member of the initiative Saurav Thapa Shrestha, the website is an attempt to make information readily available to those seeking mental health specialists and gives a platform that allows them to choose where they fit to take counseling.
The website provides visitors access to information on mental health professionals from office hours to fees and the latest resources on the website. It also has a section where visitors can recommend professionals by filling in a form, which is added to the database.
The information on the website is valuable to users, particularly service seekers, because it allows them to access various resources on mental health concerns published by institutions/organizations, reads the release.
“Bringing organizations together for this initiative is part of a larger goal to advocate for the de-stigmatization of mental health, and a collaborative effort for playing a critical role in making this issue a priority,” said Regional Head at Pahilo Kadam Anamika Nehuray.
“The website represents a first step by the Nepal Mental Health Initiative with coordinated advocacy efforts planned to promote awareness across the spectrum of issues under mental health in the coming days. The initiative also plans to partner with other organizations to create a broader network to address mental health issues.”
The event had a discussion session on the importance of databases in mental health.
Nepal Mental Health Initiative represents a collective effort by six local organizations (Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub, ANTARANG, YUWA, Happy Minds, Nepal Institute for Research and Communications (NIRC), and Pahilo Kadam) to de-stigmatize mental health in our community.
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