Police-Health Ministry discuss a nationwide mental health awareness program

Maldives Police Service and Health Ministry convened on Tuesday for discussions regarding the implementation of nationwide mental health awareness programs targeting individuals across all age groups.

According to the Police, Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed and Health Minister Geela Ali discussed strategies to address existing challenges within the mental health sector and to strengthen ongoing initiatives in this domain.

During the meeting, held at the Health Ministry, both officials underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration in the delivery of mental health services and explored avenues to enhance the quality of care provided. The Commissioner further outlined the specific challenges faced by police officers when responding to incidents involving individuals experiencing mental distress.

Additionally, the Police noted that discussions also focused on ensuring that individuals requiring mental health support can promptly access comprehensive and high-quality services, irrespective of their location within the Maldives.

At a press conference held on Monday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that, following the inclusion of mental health treatment under the Aasandha national health insurance scheme earlier this year, a total of 10,954 individuals had accessed such services as of April 24. He further disclosed that 8,125 of these individuals were from Malé alone, reflecting a significant concentration of service utilization in the capital.

To support individuals experiencing psychological distress, the government has established a 24-hour national helpline, accessible via 1677. Health Ministry continues to urge those in need of assistance to use this service.