Nepal, May 6 -- The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the government to implement a new mental health policy and launch outpatient mental health services in all hospitals. Justices Hari Prasad Phuyal and Nripa Dhwaj Niraula ordered the government to strengthen the law, as the state has failed to adequately focus on mental health. The full text of the decision, made on December 2, 2024, was recently released.

The SC, in its order, said, "Revise the National Mental Health Policy-2053 BS to include a comprehensive strategy for implementing the right to mental health, which is an inherent part of the right to health guaranteed by the Constitution, and issue a new mental health policy." It also directs the government to appoint psychiatrists, p...