Alum promoting mental wellbeing and suicide prevention in Nepal

Each year, 10 September serves as a reminder of the importance of our mental wellbeing. The date is recognised globally as World Suicide Prevention Day, led by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health. In 2026, the date coincides with Australia’s R U OK? Day (held on the second Thursday in September each year), a national day for mental health and wellbeing that encourages people to check in with those around them and start meaningful conversations.

According to WHO, approximately 720,000 people around the world die by suicide each year. In Nepal, the WHO findings indicate that nearly 7,000 lives are lost this way annually.

Mental wellbeing plays a crucial role in suicide prevention, and many Australia Awards alumni are contributing to this cause. One of them is alum Dr Baikuntha Raman Subedi, whose work in counselling, clinical psychology and mental health advocacy is helping improve the lives of many Nepalis.

Baikuntha pictured in front of his workplace.

Baikuntha studied a Master of Social Health and Counselling at Macquarie University with the support of an Australia Awards Scholarship. An Ayurveda doctor by profession, Baikuntha is also a registered clinical psychologist, something he is deeply passionate about.

Born and raised in a remote village of Baglung district in present-day Gandaki Province, Baikuntha aspired to join the medical profession from an early age. After completing high school, he studied Intermediate Science at Prithvi Narayan Campus in Pokhara. He later completed a diploma in radiography through a WHO scholarship at the Institute of Medicine in Kathmandu and briefly worked there as a radiographer.

Later, he received a scholarship to study for a Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery, again at the Institute of Medicine. Ayurveda is an alternative medical system traditionally practised in South Asia. While studying his bachelor’s degree, Baikuntha developed a strong interest in mental health and psychology. This led to him choosing to study clinical psychology for his master’s degree at Tribhuvan University.

Even after entering public service as an Ayurveda doctor in 2010, he felt he needed to gain more practical knowledge and skills in counselling and mental healthcare. His Australia Awards Scholarship gave him that opportunity.

The Australian degree, Baikuntha says, “made me feel very armed and prepared for my responsibility”. He adds, “Having the opportunity to know and experience international service standards always provided me with a measuring stick to know where I am and what to strive for.”

Since returning to Nepal in January 2016, Baikuntha has applied the knowledge and skills he gained from Australia to promote mental wellbeing and prevent suicide. As well as providing clinical psychology services, he actively raises public awareness of mental health issues.

Recognising that stress, anxiety and even depression often contribute to relationship difficulties and family breakdown, Baikuntha began offering dedicated couples therapy. These sessions help married couples identify their underlying psychosocial issues and address them in the best way possible. This initiative has served more than 200 couples so far. “I feel very proud of being a major contributor to this field in Nepal,” he says.

Baikuntha also runs structured family therapy sessions, particularly for adolescents. “Adolescence is a period of stress and storm and is very significant in terms of suicide risk. Emotional crises during this period have often been found to be triggered by interpersonal situations involving family members and parents, unknowingly or even with good intentions,” he says. “Many teenagers now use family therapy sessions as an opportunity to clarify misunderstandings and receive the support they need from their parents for a wide range of mental health problems.” Around 100 families in Nepal have already benefited from Baikuntha’s sessions.

Baikuntha conducting a counselling session with one of his clients.

Baikuntha explains that suicidal thoughts and behaviours often arise in moments of crisis, mainly driven by overwhelming feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. In such situations, even a small spark of hope can make a significant difference and play a vital role in saving lives.

With this understanding, he has introduced a range of innovative counselling services, including pre-marital counselling, relationship counselling, existential and spiritual counselling, and personality-based career counselling. These services aim not only to address mental health challenges but also to reshape public perceptions about the value of seeking professional support.

He emphasises that counselling should not be viewed only as a response to crisis. “The preventive and promotive role of counselling can contribute a lot to mental wellbeing and suicide prevention,” he says.

A key principle guiding his work is the importance of trust and genuine human connection. Rather than positioning himself as a distant expert, he strives to build therapeutic relationships that help clients feel truly known and supported.

“My clients often say that they feel really understood, connected and hopeful during my counselling sessions,” he says. Baikuntha credits his Australia Awards experience for helping shape this approach and broadening his understanding of client-centred care.

In addition to conducting counselling sessions, Baikuntha works extensively to raise awareness about mental health through the media. He has written articles covering various aspects of mental wellbeing that have been published in national news outlets such as Naya Patrika, Setopati, Swasthya Khabar and Online Khabar.

One of his articles was shared by more than 36,000 people on Facebook, demonstrating the increasing public interest in conversations about mental health. Baikuntha also facilitates training programs and workshops for health professionals, helping expand the capacity of Nepal’s mental health workforce.

As Baikuntha observes, mental health issues have become a major contributor to premature death, especially among young people. Research evidence and clinical experience both show that many mental illnesses, and consequently suicide, can be prevented if their causes are addressed at an early stage and if individuals have access to safe spaces where they can share their problems.

However, stigma remains a significant barrier. Many people still avoid seeking help because they fear discrimination or because they lack safe spaces to speak openly about their struggles. For this reason, Baikuntha calls on stakeholders to work together to improve access to mental health services and create more supportive environments.

Looking ahead, Baikuntha plans to continue promoting mental health and wellbeing. He also looks forward to training more health professionals, students and community members in how to support people with mental health challenges, suicidal ideation and those experiencing crisis situations.

Finally, he highlights the valuable contributions of Australia Awards alumni in safeguarding mental wellbeing: “Australia Awards alumni can play an important role in changing public attitudes and practices by becoming role models.”

In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. In Nepal, the TUTH Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1166, operated 24/7 by Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. Support is available at a Mental Health Helpline on +977 9801 332 332, operated 9 am – 5 pm, Monday to Friday, by Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.