Kathmandu— Padam Prasad Aryal, 70, of Battar in Bidur Municipality, is among hundreds of elderly farmers who have faced severe trauma after the Bhotekoshi floods destroyed their farmland. The disaster, which claimed over a thousand lives and displaced thousands, has left many survivors grappling with mental health issues, according to experts.

Government and Community Response

In response to the mental health crisis, the government and various organizations have initiated efforts to provide support. The Ministry of Health and Food Safety has provided a toll-free number for flood-affected people to share their post-disaster thoughts and feelings, assuring that the talks will be kept confidential and a counselor will listen to their voices. Additionally, social workers, teachers, women’s health volunteers, health assistants, nurses, and primary care doctors are available at the local level as the first point of contact for citizens. These measures aim to address the mental health needs of children, senior citizens, and vulnerable communities who have been feeling insecure.

The government and community organizations continue to work towards providing mental health support to flood survivors, but experts caution that the psychological impact of the disaster may persist for years.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.