LONDON, Oct 1: In a recent virtual mental health public awareness program, healthcare professionals raised alarms about the growing crisis of suicide and depression in the non-resident Nepali (NRN) community. The event, organized by the Health Committee under the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) in collaboration with NRNA Belgium, shed light on the escalating mental health challenges faced by Nepalis living abroad.
Dr Sanjiv Sapkota, president of the Health Committee, emphasized the rising prevalence of depression in the global Nepali diaspora. He highlighted the increasing mental health issues among Nepali expatriates in countries such as Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, Australia, and others. According to the Health Committee, there have been eight reported cases of Nepalis taking their own lives in Cyprus, 88 in the UAE, and over 200 in Malaysia.
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Dr Sapkota stressed the need for a dedicated awareness program to tackle the alarming surge in suicides occurring worldwide.
During the program, Dr Suraj Thapa revealed that suicide rates have surged with the advent of modernization, with one person taking their own life every 40 seconds globally. Loneliness was identified as a contributing factor to the increase in suicides. Dr Thapa cited statistics showing that more than 7,000 suicides occur in Nepal annually, with a higher prevalence in economically disadvantaged countries. He also noted that more women in Nepal commit suicide compared to men, and individuals facing economic crises, poverty, unemployment, personal failures, family violence, and destitution are at greater risk.
Dr Rubina Sharma, general secretary of NRNA Belgium, hosted the event, and Dr Sanjay Yadav provided essential insights into mental health. Dr Yadav explained that symptoms of mental illness may include self-blame, overwhelming guilt, frequent crying in solitude, and irrational fear, such as anxiety triggered by seeing a knife in the kitchen.
Sita Sapkota, president of NRNA Belgium, delivered the welcome address at the program. Nisita Pathak emphasized the connection between childhood experiences and mental health, underscoring the influence of one's upbringing on their mental well-being. Pathak urged those displaying signs of mental illness to openly communicate with their families and seek guidance from mental health professionals. She emphasized that depression can be treated and highlighted the crucial support of both society and family for individuals dealing with mental health issues.
Dr Bodhraj Subedi expressed gratitude to the participants and underscored the NRNA Health Committee's commitment to organizing health awareness programs in various countries to support the well-being of Nepalis residing abroad. The program allowed attendees to engage with expert doctors, posing questions related to mental health, depression, and other health-related concerns.
