Qualitatively Exploring the Adaptation of Community Mental Health Services in Pyuthan, Nepal
There is long history of using social sciences theory and methods in the fields of health and development to examine a range of public health issues in Nepal. Anthropologists have used interdisciplinary approaches to make public health interventions more culturally relevant in community settings[1-3]. However, there is a lack of systematic approaches to identify and address barriers to development and uptake of community-based mental health and psychosocial programs [4]. This formative study aims to qualitatively identify resources, challenges, and potential barriers to development and implementation of culturally adapted community-based mental health programs in accordance with the mental health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) for persons with severe mental disorders and epilepsy. Focus group discussions (n=9) and key informant interviews (n=26) were conducted in the community including key policy makers, health workers,…