Nepal Mental Health Initiative launched its website containing a publically generated directory of mental health professionals amidst a program organized at the National College Auditorium Hall on Sunday.

Nepal Mental Health website represents the first collective effort of database despite individual, organizational attempts to develop similar databases in the past.

According to Saurav Thapa Shrestha, a member of the initiative, “It is an attempt to make information readily available to those seeking mental health specialists and gives a platform that allows them to choose where they fit to take counselling from.”

The website provides visitors access to information on mental health professionals from office hours to fees and the latest resources on the website, he said.

It also has a section where visitors can recommend professionals by filling a form, which is added to the database.

On the occasion, the participants discussed the importance of databases in mental health.

Anuj Poudel from Pahilo Kadam, Sunita Shrestha from Antarang, Drona Uprety from NIRC, Riju Dhakal from YUWA and Shreeya Giri from Happy Minds took part in the program.

"Bringing organizations together for this initiative is part of a larger goal to advocate for the de- stigmatization of mental health and a collaborative effort for playing a critical role in making this issue a priority,” Anamika Nehuray, Regional head at Pahilo Kadam said.

The website represents a first step by the Nepal Mental Health Initiative with coordinated advocacy efforts planned to promote awareness across the spectrum of issues under mental health in the coming days.

The initiative also plans to partner with other organizations to create a broader network to address mental health issues.

Nepal Mental Health Initiative represents a collective effort by six local organizations (Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub, ANTARANG, YUWA, Happy Minds, Nepal Institute for Research and Communications (NIRC), and Pahilo Kadam) to de-stigmatize mental health in our community.