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Sunday 19 Oct 2025
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
Despite growing awareness efforts, mental health and psychology remain underrepresented topics in the Maldives. (Photo/Bro Vector)
While mental health awareness has been on the rise in recent years with more educational institutions offering courses within the field of Psychology and more mental health institutions being established that provide psycho-social support, mental health still remains to be quite a taboo topic that is not talked about enough in Maldives. This lack of pragmatism has resulted in numerous unnecessary problems and misunderstandings within our society. I, personally, have been a victim of such misunderstandings and misconceptions from adults I confided in about my deteriorating mental health when I was a child. As an adult now myself, reflecting on how those adults reacted to my concerns and cries for help, I have come to understand the reasonings as to why they had such a hard time grasping the entire concept of psycho-social support and mental health in general. I will discuss this deeper into this article.
Throughout this article, I will discuss what mental health is, disorders and conditions people experience and get diagnosed with, what factors contribute to these developments, what kind of treatments can be received, society’s view of mental health and the potential reasonings behind this typical belief. As September was the International Suicide Prevention Month, I decided this would be an ideal topic to talk about – it is a topic that needs to be talked about all the time with utmost priority and importance.
Mental Health – a brief definition
World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as a person’s overall emotional and psychological well-being – it allows individuals to handle life’s pressures, recognize their strengths, learn effectively, work productively, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. It is both inherently valuable and essential to leading a fulfilling life, making it a fundamental human right.
Read the article by WHO at: What is Mental Health?
Why is Mental Health important?
Around the world, countless adults experience mental health challenges that affect how they think, feel, and connect with others. Good mental health allows individuals to face life’s difficulties, maintain balance, and find meaning in everyday experiences. Beyond mood or outlook, it influences relationships, work, education, and overall quality of life.
From my own personal experience, mental health struggles are far from simple – they cannot be brushed off as a passing phase. While some people manage to recover on their own, many need professional support. Just as we care for our physical health through exercise and nutrition, our minds too require regular care through therapy and counselling. Without proper support, mental decline can affect every aspect of life. I have personally experienced periods of exhaustion, isolation, and loss of motivation, which severely impacted my ability to function. Starting therapy became a turning point for me, helping me recognize and manage my emotions better. Although finding affordable and comfortable mental health services in the Maldives was difficult, online therapy abroad has been both accessible and effective – a reminder that seeking help, in any form, is a vital step toward healing.
You can find the link to the institute where I receive therapy from via this link: Humankind
Disorders and conditions
According to World Health Organization (WHO), a mental disorder refers to a significant disruption in a person’s thoughts, emotions, or behaviour, often leading to distress or challenges in carrying out daily activities. These conditions – vary widely in type and severity. The term “mental health condition” is broader, encompassing not only diagnosed disorders but also psychosocial difficulties and emotional states that cause considerable distress or impair functioning.
Below, I will address some of the most common mental conditions and disorders experienced by majority of people.
You can read on these disorders through this link: Mental Disorders
You can read on Borderline Personality Disorder through this link: Borderline Personality Disorder
How mental health is perceived in the Maldives
Despite growing awareness efforts, mental health and psychology remain underrepresented topics in the Maldives. To explore this further, I conducted an anonymous online survey through social media, gathering 24 responses from participants of different age groups and backgrounds.
Note: the following text consists of results from the survey that was conducted, and while statements that majority of the respondents collectively agreed upon AND answers that stood out the most are mentioned, they do not in any way represent the entire society’s collective opinion or belief. They are likely to be different and vary – these results do not represent the Maldivian society as a whole.
The survey revealed that Maldivians, particularly those aged 18 to 35, are developing a stronger understanding of mental health as essential to overall well-being. Most respondents agreed that issues like anxiety and depression are very common, though discussions around them remain limited. Social media was the main source of information, highlighting both accessibility and the risk of misinformation. Stigma continues to persist, with many associating mental illness with weakness or lack of faith, though younger generations are beginning to challenge these beliefs. Religion and culture still influence perceptions, but views are becoming more open and empathetic.
Most participants said they would encourage loved ones to seek professional help, while others preferred turning to family or friends first. There was broad agreement that schools and workplaces should include mental health education to reduce stigma.
I had the wonderful privilege of discussing this with my dear ex-colleague, Dr. Aishath Nasheeda, Head of School (School of Psychology and Counselling, Villa College), and Director of VCare Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre, who noted that awareness is growing among younger people but emphasized the need for more open conversations and safe spaces for dialogue.
Overall, the findings depict a society in transition, slowly breaking taboos and moving toward compassion, understanding, and reform in how mental health is perceived in the Maldives.
My own personal take on how mental health is perceived in the Maldives
Before I begin this section, I want to highlight that the text below is simply my own personal opinion as to why mental health is so vastly underrepresented in the Maldives. My opinion is not based on any facts or sources, but only on my own personal experiences and from observations of others in my life. My belief is not to be taken as fact, and merely as one individual’s own opinion and belief. You are welcome to discuss this further or do more research if you believe it necessary – which I urge you to do. The texts above are results from a thorough survey I conducted on this topic, and some excerpts from my very separate and personal opinion below may or may not coincide with the findings from my research.
It is my strong belief that older generations in the Maldives grew up in a time defined by survival, conformity, and limited emotional awareness. Expressing emotions was often seen as weakness or disrespect, and values like endurance, silence, and obedience were prioritized over vulnerability. As a result, feelings such as sadness or anxiety were dismissed as “overreacting” or “being ungrateful,” leading many to suppress their emotions rather than express them.
This suppression evolved into generational trauma – the unconscious passing down of emotional pain and unhealthy coping habits. It appears today in how families avoid difficult conversations, fear vulnerability, and struggle with setting boundaries. In Maldivian culture, emotional restraint is further reinforced by modesty and religious duty, making it harder for people to seek help or acknowledge distress.
Now, younger generations are working to unlearn these inherited patterns, fostering more open conversations about mental health and emotional intelligence. Breaking this cycle requires empathy, not only for ourselves but also for the generations before us, who coped the only way they knew how.
You can read more on generational trauma here: What is Generational Trauma?
Recent Developments
In recent years, the Maldives has made significant strides toward prioritizing mental health as a national concern. On World Mental Health Day 2025, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu reaffirmed that mental health is a universal human right and called for global unity in addressing psychological well-being amid humanitarian crises. He pledged to integrate mental health into national policy, budgeting, and emergency response systems, signaling a stronger political commitment to the issue.
Earlier this year, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed inaugurated the National Mental Health Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, a comprehensive five-year framework aimed at strengthening the mental health system. The plan focuses on integrating mental health into primary healthcare, reducing stigma, enhancing professional capacity, and improving coordination among stakeholders. It also outlines detailed strategies for monitoring, budgeting, and awareness-building to ensure sustainable progress.
Community-based initiatives have also gained momentum. The Maldivian Nursing Association launched a “Hope Ambassador Training” program in Hulhumale’ Phase 2, empowering residents to identify signs of distress and promote mental well-being within their communities. Meanwhile, the National Mental Health Helpline (1677), launched in 2024, has already assisted more than 8,000 people – highlighting the growing public demand for accessible mental health support.
Adding to these efforts, a newly established NGO, Thrive Society, has begun focusing on mental health and social welfare initiatives. The organization aims to collaborate with hospitals and global partners like UNICEF to bring psychiatric specialists to the Maldives and address broader social issues affecting mental well-being.
Several symposiums and conferences were recently held, highlighting the growing focus on mental health awareness and research.
The Oevaru Mental Health Conference, first held in 2023 by the National Centre for Mental Health under IGMH, was the country’s first large-scale event dedicated to mental health. With the theme “Changing Currents – Forming Connections,” it brought together experts, policymakers, and advocates to share research, strategies, and personal experiences.
Villa College also organized its 4th Psychology Symposium and Exhibition on 11th October 2025 to mark World Mental Health Day. The event, inaugurated by the Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives, His Excellency David Jessup, provided a platform for psychology students and professionals to discuss mental health issues, research, and the need for better professional capacity in the field.
An International Conference on Mental Health and Psychiatry (ICMHP) is scheduled for December 2025 in Hulhumale’. It will gather international researchers and practitioners to explore new findings and innovations in mental health care.
Mental health is additionally being acknowledged and expressed in various forms of art, with a poetry event held on 9th October 2025, organized by the Institute for Counselling & Psychotherapy (ICP) and the Underwater Poet Society – a group of young women who came together to explore and express their shared love for poetry. The event, titled “Accessing Hope”, was held at Baratie and was graced by the presence of numerous experts within the field of Psychology and Mental Health. Several poets (including yours truly) shared their own personal struggles and experiences with mental health in the form of poetry, and the night was filled with comfort, understanding, and deep acknowledgement.
Collectively, these developments mark a significant shift toward a more inclusive and structured approach to mental health – emphasizing policy reform, community engagement, and greater public awareness to reduce stigma and promote national well-being.
The perception of mental health in the Maldives appears to be gradually shifting from silence and stigma toward awareness and empathy. While traditional beliefs rooted in religion and cultural modesty once framed mental illness as weakness or lack of faith, newer generations are beginning to approach it with understanding and compassion. The growing presence of mental health initiatives, government action, and open conversations signifies that the nation is slowly breaking away from inherited patterns of emotional suppression. Yet, meaningful change will require sustained dialogue, accessible professional support, and continues education to ensure that mental health is not just discussed – but truly valued as a fundamental aspect of human well-being.
If you are seeking professional mental help, below is a list of mental health institutions and services in the Maldives, including public and private providers:
Please acknowledge and validate your feelings and mental state along with those surrounding you, and please be gentle on yourself throughout the process.
