Unaddressed mental illness crippling Nepal’s productivity: Dr Ritesh Thapa
Summary
Unaddressed mental illness is costing Nepal more than Rs 18 billion a year in lost productivity, while the country faces shortages of budget, infrastructure and trained mental health workers. Psychiatrist Ritesh Thapa says rising anger, stress, social media misuse and economic hardship are worsening mental health across age groups.
Key Points
- Mental stress, anxiety and depression are causing major productivity losses in Nepal, with annual economic losses estimated at more than Rs 18 billion.
- Psychiatrist Ritesh Thapa says social media, economic pressure, violence and social instability are deepening anger and mental health problems, especially among युवाहरू.
- He warns that disasters, the 2015 earthquake, COVID-19 and recent political unrest have intensified fear, despair and substance dependence.
- Mental health services remain extremely limited in Nepal, with major shortages of funding, infrastructure and trained staff.
