The government is formulating a comprehensive national mental health policy and drafting a dedicated "Mental Health Act" to significantly strengthen the nation's healthcare infrastructure, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced. In a statement shared on social media to commemorate World Mental Health Day, the President emphasized that the administration's core objective is to establish an equitable, accessible system focused on early detection, preventative care, and timely treatment for all citizens.
President Muizzu highlighted that these regulatory and institutional reforms are being advanced under the "Mental Health Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029." He underscored that the formulation process directly incorporates the consultation, participation, and perspectives of individuals with lived experiences of mental health challenges, ensuring that policies align closely with the real-world needs of the community.
As part of this comprehensive initiative, the government is actively integrating mental healthcare into primary healthcare services, upgrading regional and specialist facilities, and expanding tele-mental health systems and emergency psychiatric care. The President noted that these strategic measures aim to eliminate barriers to treatment while cultivating a compassionate, supportive community where people readily look out for one another.
Reaffirming the administration's legislative commitment, President Muizzu stated, "Work is underway to formulate a national mental health policy and a mental health act." He reiterated that prioritizing early diagnosis, expanding high-quality medical services, and tackling systemic gaps remain paramount in safeguarding public well-being.
Highlighting the urgency of these interventions, the Ministry of Health noted in its World Mental Health Day statement that the 2020–2021 STEPS survey revealed that one in five individuals in the Maldives experiences depression. While clinical infrastructure continues to expand, societal stigma and prejudice persistently discourage people from seeking help—a challenge mirrored globally, where approximately 1.2 billion people navigate mental health conditions under this year's theme: "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change."