Matrika Devkota (Nepal)

Mr. Matrika Prasad Devkota started experiencing psychosocial issues when he was 15, but it wasn’t till ten years later that he got with a psychosocial support.

After his recovery, Mr. Devkota realized that despite having a favorable environment for recovery with his psychosocial issue, it still took four long years for his rehabilitation. Matrika Prasad Devkota is the first person who dared to come out and introduce himself as a person who was experiencing psychosocial/disability issues on National Television, and by breaking the barriers of silence, in this biased, and superstitious country, he has become a voice for the voiceless persons experiencing psychosocial disability, in which he wants to help ensure the rights of persons experiencing these issues, to a dignified life, through advocacy and service delivery.

With the vision of mental health and psychosocial well-being for all, ‘KOSHISH’ was established in 2008 and Mr. Devkota has been leading the organization as a chairperson which is working extensively in advocacy as well as comprehensive recovery based psychosocial support in Nepal. For his tireless, relentless and selfless service in fighting against social stigma of mental illness, at both the national level as well as at the International level, as a global mental health self-advocate, Mr. Devkota has been acknowledged with: the Dr. Guislain “Breaking the Chains of Stigma” Award, in 2013; was elected as an Ashoka Fellow in 2017.

In addition to this, the aspiring dedication and passion of Mr. Devkota, has resulted in him being awarded with the Social Service Award in 2013, and Human Rights Award by the National Human Rights Commission in December 2015. Due to its efforts in prioritizing mental health and psychosocial issues, supporting and empowering the rights and dignity of persons living with mental health issues, KOSHISH has been awarded with best Social Organization in 2017.