Chitwan, May 4 — The second International Conference on Community Mental Health concluded in Chitwan on Sunday with the issuance of the 'Chitwan Declaration', calling for urgent reforms and collaborative action to address the growing mental health crisis in Nepal.

The three-day conference was jointly organized by Chitwan Medical College, the Nepal Institute of Mental Health, Health Foundation-US, and other stakeholders. It brought together over 300 participants, including psychiatrists, psychologists, psychosocial workers, and public health experts from various sectors.

The Declaration highlighted the rising burden of mental health issues in the country and stressed the urgent need for accessible, quality mental health care. It called for an end to the persistent stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with mental health conditions.

Commending the contributions of government bodies, public institutions, and non-governmental organizations, the Declaration drew attention to the acute shortage of trained mental health professionals across the country. It also raised concerns about the mental well-being of healthcare providers themselves, who are increasingly vulnerable to stress, burnout, and psychological fatigue—an issue exacerbated by the continued outmigration of skilled human resources.

Significantly, the Declaration welcomed the 'historic' directive order issued by the Supreme Court mandating the availability of mental health services and urged the government to ensure its effective implementation.

It further emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among all three tiers of government and civil society actors to uphold the constitutional right to mental health services. Participants also called for enhanced awareness campaigns, improved coordination, and expanded efforts in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

During the event, more than 100 research papers were presented, with in-depth discussions held on policy, innovation, equity, and progress in community-based mental health care.