Fwd: Healing the Mother's heart

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Healing the Mother's heart Perinatal Mental Health Nepalese Psychology Network and Sujen Man Maharjan Jan 4   READ IN APP   We are delighted to share the third issue of our newsletter. Although we initially planned for a biannual release, the rapid pace of events since our first issue in July motivated us to connect with you more frequently. Last year in September, we witnessed historic Gen Z protests that shook the political landscape, forcing the government to step down amidst the chaos. We tried to examine a critical question: How did the Gen z protest, amplified within the digital space, finally topple an arrogant regime? A recent publication co-authored by Nepali psychologist Dr. Ram Prasad Sapkota at University of Regina, along with Houran et al., The Spread of Mind: Psychological Contagion in Theory and Critique, offers a timely framework. The paper moves beyond simple mimicry to propose a three-layer model of contagion—individual resonance, interpersonal synchronization, and group-level cascades. Thanks for reading Nepali Psychology Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Pledge your support This theory is critical for understanding current political developments. It explains how Gen Z’s digital behaviors are not just about sharing information, but about a “psychological contagion” where emotions and perceptions transfer quickly across networks. This paper provides the scientific “why” behind the leaderless, high-velocity political movements we see today—from TikTok trends like Nepokids to violent street protests—highlighting how deeply our minds are wired to sync with the crowd in the digital age. The Unseen Transition of Motherhood– Perinatal Mental Health In this issue, we turn our focus to a critical yet often overlooked period in human development: the perinatal phase. While the physical health of mothers and infants receive significant attention, the mental well-being of new mothers remain a silent crisis in many of our communities. This time, we spotlight the work of key scholars and creatives who are reshaping how we understand and support maternal mental health in Nepal and beyond. We are proud to share the work of Dr. Lalita Sah and Dr. Prasansa Subba, two leading voices in this field. Dr. Lalita Sah’s research delves deep into the social determinants of mental health during prenatal phase, challenging the narrative that pregnancy is merely a biological duty. Her work highlights how social support structures—or the lack thereof—can define a mother’s experience. Dr. Prasansa Subba has been pivotal in adapting global mental health interventions for the Nepali context, ensuring that tools like the Thinking Healthy Programme are culturally relevant and accessible. [Read her thesis here] Facts alone cannot break stigma—we need stories. In Conversation with Prasansa: Sujen sat down with Prasansa Subba for a candid discussion on her work on perinatal mental health in Nepal. [Listen the conversation] Art for Awareness: Complex emotions often require a different language. We are thrilled to feature a comic book produced by the collaborative efforts of three young artists. This visual storytelling project breaks down the isolation of postpartum struggles, making the conversation accessible to everyone, from policymakers to family members. [View the comic book] Last year, Prasansa and Sujen talked with Alina, one of the artists, who have accomplished Healing the Mother’s Heart, art and research project. This project, supported by the British Council, was led by three artists that explores the emotional and mental experiences of Nepali mothers. They have tried to bring out stories that reveal the often-overlooked challenges women face during perinatal period. She states that, “Our aim has been to open up conversations about women’s mental health, emotional well-being, and the pressures of motherhood, and to create space for care, empathy, and understanding. Although some time has passed since the project began, we believe this conversation remains just as vital today. The realities that mothers face, balancing expectations, care work, and self-hood, continue to deserve attention, compassion, and dialogue.” Thanks Alina for sharing back this zine with us. News and Events National Campaign on Mental Health Awareness On December 10, 2025 (Human Rights Day), the Government of Nepal, led by the Ministry of Health and Population, launched a three-month nationwide Mental Health Awareness Campaign. The drive is scheduled to run until March 14, 2026, with the primary goal of de-stigmatizing mental health issues and encouraging open dialogue across the country. The campaign comes at a critical time, with officials noting a spike in mental health issues following the Gen Z protests in September. Studies suggest 1 in 10 Nepalis experience some form of mental disorder, yet the majority do not seek help due to fear of social isolation and stigma. However, it would also be inappropriate to completely interpret political dissatisfaction and desire for systemic changes through pathological mental health perspective alone, rather it should be dealt from psycho-social approach that attempts to identify deep-rooted social causes and address them as well. Despite the federal launch, the campaign faces significant hurdles regarding Federal-Local coordination: Communication Gap: Reports indicate that many local units in the Kathmandu Valley (such as Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Tarakeshwar Municipality) were unaware of the campaign launch and received no formal instructions or budget. Resource Constraints: Local officials have criticized the lack of funding, stating that running a three-month drive is “impossible” without a dedicated budget for counselors and awareness programs. Critique: Some critics view the campaign as a routine announcement often made after a change in leadership, raising concerns about its actual impact on the ground versus its political visibility. National Community Mental Health Conference 2025 Event Overview Student Perspective by: Richa Aryal Full post: https://psychology.com.np/from-dialogue-to-declaration-reflections-from-the-national-community-mental-health-conference-2025/ The conference was inaugurated by Hon. Health Minister, Dr. Sudha Sharma Key Themes and Discussions The conference focused on bridging the gap between policy intentions and field realities. It emphasized evidence-based practices while advocating for cultural adaptation. Three major panels drove the dialogue: Policy to Practice: Discussing the strategy and action plans for mental health. Women, Work, and Well-being: Unpacking the mental health dimensions of the right to work. Community-Rooted Practice: Bridging ethics, culture, evidence, and collaboration. The Conference Declaration A major outcome of the event was a formal Declaration focusing on shifting from hospital-centric care to prevention and community-based care. Key recommendations included: Strengthening Systems: Establishing accreditation, training, and continuous supervision for community psychosocial workers. Cultural Integration: Collaborating with traditional healers (Dhami and Jhankri) by equipping them with basic referral skills. Inclusivity: Addressing geographical and gender-based disparities, ensuring services reach marginalized groups. Primary Care Integration: Embedding mental health into primary health care and emergency preparedness (disasters/pandemics). Change of Leadership at TU Central Department of Psychology Congratulations to Mr. Sanjesh Shrestha on being appointed as the new Head of Department (HoD). We wish him a successful tenure and look forward to seeing the department reach new heights under his leadership. Khem sir welcoming Sandesh sir as new HoD. Picture courtesy: Central Department of Psychology, T.U./Facebook Farewell! We also extend our sincere gratitude to the outgoing HoD, Dr. Khem Raj Bhatta, for his dedicated service during his term. We wish him the very best in his future academic and professional journey. Spotlight on Nepali Psychologists and experts In every issue, we will feature a senior academic or practitioner who has shaped the landscape of psychology in Nepal. We hope to bridge the generational gap. By understanding the challenges and contributions of those who came before us, we hope to inspire the next generation of Nepali psychologists to push the field even further. This time we have Dr. Minakshi Nepal, first Nepali woman to receive PhD in Psychology. We can read a brief summary of the interview done by Sujen with her below. Follow this link to read the full interview. Introduction Dr. Minakshi Nepal is a senior figure in Nepali psychology. She is the first Nepali woman to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology, a distinction she achieved around 1977. Academic Journey Ph.D. Research: Her doctoral thesis focused on the “Construction and Standardization of non-verbal group tests for adolescents” (specifically ages 13-17). She collected data from approximately 2,000 students across regions like Jhapa, Janakpur, Birgunj, and Nepalgunj. Education Gap: She took a 1.5-year break during her studies due to marriage and childbirth but returned to complete her degree after encouragement from her research guide and the support of her husband, funded by a UGC scholarship. Honors: She was a gold medalist in her M.A. and received the Mahendra Bidya Bhusan award. Career Path Early Career: Her first teaching appointment was at Padmakanya (PK) Campus in Kathmandu. Move to Biratnagar: She soon moved to Biratnagar to be with her family. She taught at the Mahendra Morang Campus in Biratnagar for 33 years until her retirement. Reflections on Location: She notes that moving to Biratnagar likely altered her career trajectory. While she was satisfied with her teaching there, she feels that had she stayed in Kathmandu, she might have been able to build a stronger team, establish a clinic, and have a larger impact on the national psychology landscape. The State of Psychology in Nepal (Then vs. Now) Department History: She claimed that the Psychology Department in Biratnagar (Mahendra Morang) is the oldest in Nepal, established by Durga Bahadur Varma, pre-dating departments in Kathmandu colleges like PK or Tri-Chandra. This might be debatable as other records show different scenarios dating back to 1947 AD, when psychology was first introduced as a subject and taught under Department of Philosophy in TC. MA program started in TU in 1980 only. Sarala Thapa, HoD, and Dr. Sarvagya Narayan Shrestha at Tri Chandra Campus during the launch of MA program in 1980. Practical vs. Theoretical: Dr. Nepal recalled that her own education in India was largely theoretical, whereas the early curriculum at Mahendra Morang was surprisingly practical, featuring well-equipped labs and tests (e.g., Alexander’s Pass-Along Test, Cube Construction). Current Decline: She expresses deep concern over the current state of the field. Student numbers have dropped significantly in campuses outside Kathmandu, labs are poorly equipped, and the teaching method has become heavily reliant on rote memorization of theoretical textbooks rather than practical application. Key Challenges & Critiques Lack of Practical Application: Dr. Nepal stresses that psychology cannot be taught solely through books. She advocates for internships, functional labs, and “Guidance Bureaus” where students can practice counseling in real-world settings (schools, industries). Employment Issues: Because students lack practical skills, they struggle to find jobs in rehabilitation centers or schools, often losing positions to people with only short-term counseling training. Faculty & Leadership: She critiques the lack of initiative among faculty members to update libraries, request budgets, or collaborate across campuses. She admits that her generation “could not do much” to unite the field but hopes the younger generation will take charge. Despite being retired, Dr. Nepal maintains a strong interest in the field. She expresses a lingering desire to establish a clinic but acknowledges she cannot do it alone. She advocates for senior professionals to take on a “guardian role” to guide the new generation and revitalize the discipline. Thank you Dr. Yubaraj Adhikari, Richa Aryal, Alka Magar, and Palistha Tuladhar for your efforts and feedback in preparing this issue. Our team wishes you a very Happy New Year 2026. Please, subscribe our newsletter on substack and write to us if you wish to support us in any way! Thanks for reading Nepali Psychology Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Pledge your support Nepali Psychology Newsletter is free today. But if you enjoyed this post, you can tell Nepali Psychology Newsletter that their writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. You won't be charged unless they enable payments.   Share     Like Comment Restack   © 2026 NEPsychNet Kathmandu-23, Nepal Unsubscribe