Recent events in Nepal have revealed a heartbreaking truth: our mental health crisis is not just real—it’s urgent. In Chitwan, a man killed his daughter and nephew before attempting suicide. In Kathmandu, four members of a family were found dead. Reports show that, on average, 20 people commit suicide every day in Nepal.

These aren’t isolated cases. They are symptoms of a nation struggling with unspoken pain, bottled-up emotions, and a lack of support systems. According to national data, more farmers, students, and youth are taking their own lives. The emotional load is heavy, and we are failing to provide the tools to carry it.

At VAAV, we believe that Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and emotional intelligence are not luxuries. They are life-saving necessities. When children and adults are taught how to express, process, and regulate their emotions, violence reduces and resilience grows.

Through SEL, students learn empathy, stress management, and conflict resolution. In workplaces, emotional intelligence helps people communicate better, de-escalate conflict, and support one another. In families, it builds understanding and healing.

We must respond to this crisis not just with awareness campaigns, but with systemic emotional education—from classrooms to counseling rooms.

Nepal cannot afford to ignore emotions any longer. To build a safer, kinder future, emotional wellbeing must be at the heart of our education, leadership, and national policies.

Let’s act now—before another headline breaks our hearts.