Document Type : Research paper
Authors
- Sudhamsu Gautam 1
- Madan Raj Bhatta 2
- Binita Adhikari 3
- Rajan Paudel 4
- Saraswati Dhungana 4
- Hari Neupane 5
- Min Raj Adhikari 6
- Shreedhar Paudel 7
- Shiva Raj Mishra 8
1 Health Foundation Nepal, Dang, Nepal
2 Health and Development Solutions,Nepal
3 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, MD, U.S.A.
4 Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
5 Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
6 Mahendra Ratna Campus, Faculty of Education, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
7 Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
8 School of medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
Abstract
Abstract:
Objective:
Mental health disorders are a major global burden, with countries like Nepal experiencing high
prevalence and significant treatment gaps. Community perceptions play a critical role in shaping
health-seeking behaviour, yet research in rural Nepal remains limited. This study explores
knowledge, perceived causes, care options, and help-seeking related to mental illness and suicide
in a rural village in Dang District, which has had no access to regular formal mental health care
services. It is part of a needs assessment conducted by Health Foundation Nepal (HFN) to inform
planning of community mental health interventions in the region.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 in Saudiyar, Dang. Using purposive and
convenience sampling, 119 participants from 11 community groups were surveyed with a
semi-structured Nepali-language questionnaire. Topics included mental health knowledge,
perceptions, risk factors, suicide exposure, and care preferences. Available case analysis was
used for handling missing data. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS to summarise
findings.
Results:
A total of 95.8% of participants had heard of mental illness, with radio as the main source. Stress
and worry (57.1%), alcoholism (53.8%), and depression (28.6%) were identified as key issues.
Low self-esteem, poverty, and family problems were perceived as major risk factors for mental
illness and suicide. While 38.2% had known someone who died by suicide, only 4.5% reported
having a mental illness, and 10.2% reported a family member affected.Doctors (75.7%) and
medication (88.8%) were seen as helpful treatments, alongside yoga (78.2%) and bhajan
(59.7%). Nearly all participants (99.2%) supported establishing community-based mental health
services
Conclusion: This study highlights key mental health concerns in Saudiyar, Dang—particularly
stress, alcohol use, and depression—with poverty, family conflict, and low self-esteem seen as
major contributing factors. While biomedical treatment is widely valued, many participants also
find religious and spiritual practises helpful.
Keywords
Main Subjects
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