Maldives developing chat app to make mental health support easier

The National Mental Health Department is developing a special chat application to make mental health assistance more accessible, the department has said. Speaking on state media programme "Raa Je Mihadhu" last night, National Mental Health Department Social Service Coordinator Aishath Shuza said some people are hesitant to share certain issues through the existing National Mental Health Helpline. She said the biggest reason was a lack of trust and the difficulty of explaining one's situation for fear that their identity may be revealed. Shuza said suggestions had been received to create a chat app, and work is underway to develop such an application. The helpline was launched on February 21, 2024, to provide mental health assistance on a 24-hour basis. The number of people seeking treatment for mental illness in the Maldives is increasing. On June 23, Health Minister Geela Ali said that in the past three years, more than 70,000 people had sought the assistance of doctors who treat mental illness. The minister said the majority of them sought help from the Malé area.