Editorial | Deadly taboo
Summary
Nepal has seen a slight decline in suicide deaths in the last fiscal year, with 6,866 cases reported. Despite government targets to reduce suicide rates, stigma and lack of mental health resources continue to hinder progress.
Key Points
- Nepal reported 6,866 suicide deaths in fiscal year 2024-25, down from 7,223 the previous year.
- The government aims to reduce the suicide rate to 4.7 per 100,000 population by 2030, but experts consider this target unrealistic.
- Mental health stigma and lack of awareness prevent open discussion and timely intervention in Nepal.
- Nepal has only 0.9 registered psychiatrists per 100,000 people, far below the global average, with most concentrated in cities.
- Men commit suicide at a higher rate than women, highlighting the need for targeted mental health awareness programs.
- Increasing mental health professionals and incentivizing their placement in remote areas is crucial to addressing the crisis.
