KATHMANDU: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has conducted psychosocial health camps in local settlements amid growing concerns that mental health problems are emerging as a silent epidemic.
Coordinator of the KMC Health and Education Committee, Chinkaji Maharjan, said the KMC Health Department, in collaboration with Happy Mind, organized psychosocial health camps at multiple locations across Kathmandu.
As part of the initiative, outreach teams engaged individuals from different age groups and professional backgrounds living within the metropolitan area.
The camps were conducted from June 13 to 22 at nine locations including Swoyambhu, Bhagawan Pau, Kamalpokhari, Panchamukhi Hanuman Mandir, Kharibot, Bouddha Stupa premises and Itumbahal.
During the programme, psychosocial counselling services were provided to people ranging in age from 10 to 84 years.
According to participation data, 55 sexual and gender minority individuals, 555 women and 405 men attended the camps.
Maharjan said findings from the camps indicate that mental health is no longer merely a personal concern but is increasingly becoming a serious public health challenge in the city.
“Mental health problems should not be treated as issues to hide at home or keep within oneself. Just as physical illnesses are treated, mental health conditions also deserve timely attention and care,” he said.
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