Mental Health among informal settlers in Nepal

Dear Friends,

PHASE Nepal recently conducted a one-day  Well-being and Mental Health Training for 22 staff members at PHASE Nepal central office. This training aimed to strengthen the capacity of our frontline staff so they can confidently deliver community-level sessions to support mental health in their working areas.

Key Objectives

• Equip PHASE Nepal staff with accurate knowledge on adolescent mental health.
• Reduce stigma and myths related to mental illness.
• Enable staff to identify early warning signs and provide appropriate guidance and referral.

The training focused on essential topics to help our team understand and respond effectively to mental health challenges among children and adolescents:

• What is mental health and mental illness?
• The 7 warning signs of mental illness in children.
• Common myths vs. facts related to mental illness.
• 5 practical tips to promote better adolescent mental health.
• Where to seek help and how to refer (including calling 1098 for child rights concerns).

The session was interactive, allowing participants to reflect on their own biases, share field experiences, and role-play real-life scenarios for better learning.

Impact

• 22 staff members are now equipped with enhanced knowledge and confidence to conduct similar trainings in the community.
• Participants shared that the training helped them distinguish between behavioral changes and mental health red flags, an essential skill for early intervention.
• This training is part of our larger goal to make adolescent mental health support more accessible and stigma-free at the grassroots level.

"Before this training, I used to think only extreme cases were considered mental illness. Now I understand that even small changes in behavior could be early signs. I feel more prepared to help the young people I work with."   —  Sunita Baruwal ( name changed)

We extend our heartfelt thanks to you, our GlobalGiving community, for supporting initiatives like this. Your contribution helps us ensure that young people across Nepal have a chance to grow up in mentally healthy, safe, and supportive environments.

Warm regards,
PHASE Nepal Team