Health services in Nepal are extremely limited. Nepal spends less than 6% of its total national budget on health , and ranks 133 out of 150 countries in health spending as percent of Gross Domestic Product . The estimated population per government health institution (including subhealth posts which offer only the most basic of services) is 5,663, but rises above 15,000 in some of the least developed districts. There are about 21 physicians per 100,000 people in Nepal -- which is roughly the same as Sudan. Within this limited health infrastructure, the availability, accessibility, and performance of psychosocial and mental health services are extremely poor, although the need for them is growing due to increased vulnerabilities and the erosion of traditional family and community supports. A Mental Health Treatment and Protection Act  was drafted in 2007 and submitted to Parliament, but has since stalled. (All statistics from Nepal Needs Analysis Framework, IASC Nepal, 2008)

TPO Nepal is active in advocating for policy changes to ensure access to quality mental health services.