International conference on community mental health in Jumla from May 4

KARNALI: The first international conference related to community mental health is to be organised at the Karnali Academy of Health Sciences (KAHS), Jumla.

The two-day event is going to be organised from May 4 at the collaboration of Harvard University Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatric Department, America, and KAHS, Jumla.

Harvard University’s Faculty Dr Shreedhar Poudel said the conference of international standard is going to be organised with an objective of taking mental health services among the access of all citizens of remote areas.

More than 90 psychiatrists, psychologists and psycho-social counsellors from Nepal and four from America would participate in the conference.

Around 50 working papers related to mental illness would be presented in the conference, he added.

Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, Social Development Minister of Karnali State, chiefs of local governments and representatives of non-government offices would participate in the conference.

Vice-Chancellor of KAHS, Jumla, Dr Mangal Rawal, mentioned that the conference would help to improve mental health situation of Nepal including Karnali folks.

He further added, “There will be collaboration and partnership between Harvard University and KAHS in health education, research and services.”

Similarly, Head of General Practice and Emergency Department of the KAHS, Dr Tula Gupta, shared that the conference is going to be organised keeping the mental health condition of citizens of remote areas in mind despite different challenges.

The conference would also issue ‘Jumla Declaration’. Centre for Mental Health and Counseling Nepal, Health Foundation, Integrated Mental Health Centre and Nepal Health Corps will work as partner agencies in the conference.