How communities helped make mental health a local government priority in Nepal

Stories | Published: September 22, 2026

Mental health affects every community. In Australia, many of us know someone who has struggled with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. While support is available, we understand how difficult life can be without access to care. In remote parts of Nepal, those challenges are even greater.

For years, mental health received little attention in Karnali Province, one of Nepal’s most remote regions. People experiencing mental health conditions often had limited access to support, and local governments had few plans or resources dedicated to mental health services.

The Karnali Mental Health Project, supported by CBM Australia and implemented by the Centre for Mental Health and Counselling (CMC) Nepal, set out to change that. Rather than focusing only on service delivery, the project worked with local governments, health workers, and communities to ensure mental health became a long-term priority.

A key part of the project was putting people with lived experience of mental health conditions at the centre of change. People with psychosocial disabilities, and members of Organisations of People with Disabilities (OPDs) and Mental Health Self-Help Groups (MHSHGs) shared their stories, participated in planning meetings, and advocated directly to local decision-makers. Their voices helped local governments better understand the impact of mental health challenges and the importance of investing in support services.

They also played an important role in showing how community-based approaches to mental health can be effective. Through peer support, community awareness activities, training and livelihoods opportunities, they demonstrated that recovery is possible when people have access to support, connection, and opportunity.

The project also showed governments what practical solutions look like. Health workers, community volunteers, and teachers received mental health training, while people with psychosocial disabilities were supported to access disability identification cards, health care, social protection benefits, and specialised treatment. 

The results have been significant.

Ten municipalities developed mental health policies, and 13 integrated mental health into their annual plans and budgets. Municipalities began funding counselling services, psychotropic medicines, community awareness and suicide prevention activities, and dedicated mental health staff.

Community access to services also expanded dramatically. 55 health facilities now provide mental health and psychosocial support services, and more than 6,280 people have received care.

Most importantly, mental health is no longer seen as someone else’s responsibility. Local governments are taking ownership, investing their own resources, and working alongside communities to ensure support continues into the future.

For Australians, this story is a reminder that lasting change happens when communities are heard and governments listen. By bringing people together and elevating the voices of those with lived experience, communities in Nepal are helping create a future where mental health support is accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for everyone.

CBM Australia acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), and thanks to implementing partner: Centre for Mental Health and Counselling (CMC) Nepal. 
 
To learn more about the project, read the report ‘Influencing local governments to prioritise community mental health in Nepal’  here. 

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https://www.cbm.org.au/stories/mental-health-nepal

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