On the observance of World Mental Health Day, Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu officially declared that mental health is a fundamental human right and a national priority, pledging his administration’s commitment to significantly strengthening the sector.
In a message on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, President Dr Muizzu asserted that the promotion of mental well-being forms the foundation of thriving individuals, families and nations.
He committed to ensuring that mental healthwould be centrally integrated into the national response mechanisms for major challenges, including climate change, health emergencies, and future humanitarian disasters.
The President noted that this year’s World Mental Health Day theme emphasised mental health in humanitarian crises. Reiterating the Maldives' international stance on global conflicts, President Muizzu issued a strong appeal to the international community, calling for immediate steps to provide essential mental assistance to the Palestinian people affected by the ongoing crisis.
The government underscored that efforts to make mental health services easily accessible are already underway. Key among these initiatives is the national Helpline 1677, which was launched in February last year. This round-the-clock service is designed to provide psychiatric aid, immediate problem-solving assistance, and referrals to appropriate services for people of all ages across the nation.
Echoing the presidential sentiment, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed emphasised the critical need for psychological support in emergency settings, noting that it is unequivocally a human right, not a choice.
In her social media post, the First Lady reminded the public to remember those affected by global disasters and wars, specifying that vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, are often in the greatest need of assistance during such crises.
She concluded her message by urging that psychological support, compassion, and definitive treatment be prioritised in all emergency responses.