Over 10,000 people sought support through mental health helpline

More than 10,000 people sought assistance through the national mental health helpline last year, according to Health Minister Dr Geela Ali.

Speaking during a parliamentary sitting on Tuesday, Geela said the helpline has become an important entry point for people seeking mental health support since its launch in February 2024.

The minister said the service provides individuals experiencing mental health difficulties with an opportunity to speak to a trained person and access support at an early stage.

“We have successfully created an avenue for individuals to speak with someone as a first point of contact during their initial stage of need,” Geela told lawmakers.

The minister also outlined the expansion of mental health services across the country, including the provision of psychiatric care at regional and tertiary healthcare facilities.

These services are available through hospitals in HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, R. Ungoofaaru, L. Gan and GDh. Atoll, as well as at Addu Equatorial Hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and Hulhumalé Hospital.

According to Geela, more than 70,000 people sought mental health treatment nationwide over the past three years.

Of those, approximately 45,000 received treatment in the Greater Malé area.

The minister said this concentration of patients was a key factor behind the government's decision to establish a dedicated mental health hospital in Hulhumalé.

Geela also noted that the Mental Health Department at IGMH is operating under capacity constraints due to the number of patients seeking care.

She said the department has limited inpatient facilities, making it difficult to accommodate all patients requiring admission and ongoing treatment.

The government has announced plans to develop a dedicated mental health hospital in Hulhumalé to expand treatment capacity and support the growing demand for mental health services.