Children, adolescents and families shared their experiences of life before treatment and the positive changes that mental health care had brought at a World Mental Health Day program held at the Child and Adolescent Unit of Kanti Children’s Hospital. Guided by the theme “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real changes,” the event placed the voices of those receiving care at the center of the celebration.

The program brought together children and adolescents attending the outpatient department, patients admitted to the inpatient unit, and their families and visitors. Participants were encouraged to speak about their experiences, reflect on how treatment had helped them, and offer feedback and suggestions for improving the hospital’s mental health services.

The program opened with remarks from Dr Dipesh Bhattarai. Executive Director Kumar Bhattarai, Dr Arun Raj Kunwar, Dr Narmada Devkota and Dr Gunjan Dhonju also spoke about the theme and the importance of mental health.