Department of Psychiatry was established in 1986 and currently has 3 full time and 3 part time faculty members. At present Psychiatry Ward has 12 beds and some 25-35 outdoor patients are seen every day.

    It is estimated that about 200,000 to 300,000 people in this country are in dire need of psychiatric services. Most of the health workers lack adequate training in mental health. Therefore most people with these disorders are bound to visit traditional healers. Some of them fall prey to painful tortures e.g. burning skin with red hot iron. Some patients go to neighbouring countries in search of (? qualified) psychiatrists. Till date, there is not a single psychiatrist in 69 districts of Nepal.

    It is estimated that at least 14 percent of Nepalese population need psychiatric help. There are about 75 psychiatric beds and only 17 Psychiatrists in the country. Keeping this in view, Department of Psychiatry has started training for MD in Psychiatry from this year. Other related courses such as M. Phil. in Clinical Psychology, M. Phil Psychiatric Social Work and Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing are in the pipeline.

    It is expected that these human resources will act as practitioners and searchers in the process of upliftment of the mental health of the people of our country.