Minister Says Mental Health Line Received More Than 23,000 Calls Since Launch

More than 23,000 individuals have reached out to the Maldivian government’s dedicated mental health helpline for support, according to the Minister of Health, Family and Welfare, Geela Ali.

The national helpline, accessible via 1677, launched on 21 January 2024 to provide immediate support and resources for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Speaking on the Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu radio programme “Ahaashey Bunaanan”, Minister Geela confirmed that the service handles a high volume of enquiries regarding diverse psychological concerns. She emphasised that strict confidentiality protocols safeguard caller identity and personal information.

The Minister highlighted mental health as a priority area of concern for the government, noting active work to develop and expand the national treatment framework. She described the 1677 helpline as an essential direct link between citizens and healthcare authorities, offering a platform to collect feedback and address systemic gaps.

“The helpline has received more than 23,000 calls. The calls received through the helpline, together with information from doctors and counsellors, provide a clearer picture of the situation,” Minister Geela stated. She added that an upcoming government mixed survey will conduct further formal research to analyze mental health trends in detail.

While formal scientific studies remain limited, authorities currently use data gathered from callers, counsellors, and medical professionals to guide national policy and healthcare decisions.

Moving forward, the government plans to leverage data from the upcoming mixed survey to expand physical services across other atolls. Officials are currently formulating dedicated human resource strategies to recruit and train specialized mental health professionals nationwide.