Kathmandu, May 19 -- The recently published full text of the Supreme Court's December 2 verdict has ordered the government to undertake an overhaul of the nation's mental health policy and services.

The court had issued the verdict acting on a Public Interest Litigation filed by Koshish, an NGO working on mental health. It said the government had neglected mental health issues and failed to implement existing policies, including the National Mental Health Policy (2053 BS).

The top court's directive concerns budgetary commitment, enactment of mental health legislation, development of multidisciplinary workforces, awareness against stigma and discrimination, integration of people with mental health issues in the communities, and promotion...