KATHMANDU, June 14 -- Kathmandu Metropolitan City has started offering free mental health check-ups with mental care specialists. The service will run every Sunday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 12 PM.

The KMC's Health Department has launched the initiative from the Urban Health Promotion Center in Ward 11, Babarmahal. It targets individuals suffering from mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.

Ward 11 Chairperson Hiralal Tandukar said the program aims to create an open environment for mental health treatment, addressing the stigma around these issues and reducing related risks.

Dr Anima Parajuli, a psychiatrist at Patan Hospital, explained that symptoms s...