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‘A bucket in the ocean’: Justice transitions and the emancipatory potential of establishing mental health care in Nepal

Author

Listed:
  • Thieme, Susan
  • K.C., Sony
  • Bigler, Christine

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions of health workers in Nepal's mental health sector regarding their experiences related to emancipation and justice. The research highlights the mental health gap in general, and that specifically faced by children and adolescents in Nepal. Factors contributing to this gap include a shortage of mental health professionals, societal stigma, and limited awareness of mental health challenges. Through 18 semi-structured, in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions conducted between 2022 and 2023, the study captures the insights of various professionals, including psychiatrists, nurses, and representatives of organizations, about their roles in fostering change within Nepal's mental healthcare landscape. The findings illustrate how these individuals navigate their engagement in a still-evolving field, reflecting on their motivations, challenges, and the relational dynamics at play.

Suggested Citation

  • Thieme, Susan & K.C., Sony & Bigler, Christine, 2025. "‘A bucket in the ocean’: Justice transitions and the emancipatory potential of establishing mental health care in Nepal," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 383(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:383:y:2025:i:c:s0277953625007282
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118397
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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