Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Stigma
Empowering Nepal's most vulnerable populations through mental health care, economic opportunities, and community leadership.
Our Approach
Imagine enduring extreme poverty or discrimination in a remote rural area while suffering from mental illness, or caring for someone who does. This is the harsh reality for many individuals, and LEADS is taking significant steps to change it.
Our APPROACH is holistic, addressing every aspect of their lives to transform living conditions and create lasting, meaningful change that empowers them for the future.
Our Programs
MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE and SERVICE IMPROVEMENT
We organize mental health camps with psychiatrists for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, while fostering coordination among stakeholders in mental health to enhance services.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TO REDUCE STIGMA
We help patients and carers understand and manage mental illness and organize awareness campaigns and workshops to
reduce stigma surrounding it.
SUPPORT FOR CARERS and VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS
We assist carers, Dalit families, single women, and those in extreme poverty in accessing resources, support, and empowerment opportunities.
EMPOWERING THROUGH SKILLS AND TRAINING
We provide vocational training in areas like poultry farming,
vegetable production and handicrafts, alongside specialized training for staff and carers to strengthen their skills.
COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES
We build mutual aid networks, starting with carers' self-help
groups that form clusters and expand into associations and cooperatives, driving sustainable change and independence.
LIVELIHOOD AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
We promote financial independence for people with mental illness and carers through income-generating activities, fostering empowerment, stability, and long-term economic security.
Our Story
FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE: THE ORIGIN OF LEADS
In 2004, during the conflict between Maoist insurgents and the Nepali government, Padam Shrestha saw the heartbreaking effects of poverty and mental illness on a family. The parents, overwhelmed by severe depression, were frozen by fear and unable to leave their small, dark living space, where they were living in terrible conditions. Meanwhile, their daughters, just 15 and 17 years old, were forced into prostitution to support the family. Padam stepped in to help them escape this desperate situation, but the war brought more tragedy, taking the lives of both parents and one of their sons. This painful experience motivated Padam to start LEADS in 2010, an organization focused on reducing the suffering caused by mental illness and poverty.
Our Team
Dr.Padam Shrestha
Founder and Executive Director
Padam has led LEADS since its founding in 2010, driving strategic planning, fundraising and stakeholder engagement. He previously collaborated with development agencies like DFID and UNFPA, overseeing impactful health and community projects. His leadership ensures effective operations and long-term sustainability.
Mona Bhandari
Administration and Finance Manager
Mona oversees accounting, budgets, and audits, ensuring compliance and financial
accuracy. Her expertise supports LEADS’ mission by maintaining operational integrity and effective resource management.
Sadhana Dhakal
Gender and Women Entrepreneurship Officer
Sadhana leads gender-inclusive strategies at LEADS, coordinating programs in mental and reproductive health, and training health volunteers. Previously with TPO Nepal, she has advanced advocacy and policies that empower women entrepreneurs and promote equitable systems.
Nisha GC Mahat
Programme Coordinator
Nisha facilitates the growth of Carers ´Associations and Cooperatives, enabling self-governance and advocacy for carers' rights. She oversees program implementation and works with district networks to amplify carers' voices in policy discussions.
Bibek KC
Livelihoods Programme Coordinator
Bibek collaborates with project staff and Carers’ Cooperatives to enhance agricultural productivity. He plans, trains, and supports farmers while promoting sustainable practices to improve crop and livestock yields, directly benefiting carers and individuals with mental illness.
Our Granting Organization
Past Granting Organizations
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Together, we have the power to create a future where mental health is prioritized, poverty is conquered, and every individual has access to the care and opportunities they deserve.
Join us in making a lasting impact! Your involvement will help empower individuals to thrive with dignity, hope, and a renewed sense of possibility.
+977-61-580943
Pokhara Metropolitancity-3
info@leadsnp.org