Promoting Inclusive Harm Reduction & Mental Health in Cambodia
On 9 October 2025, KHANA, with support from AHRA and Frontline AIDS Rapid Response Funding, hosted a harm reduction and mental health dialogue with healthcare providers, local authorities, and outreach workers.
This dialogue brought together government, civil society, and affected communities to address stigma, uphold human rights, and ensure that harm reduction and mental health services are inclusive, accessible, and effective.
Key highlights from the workshop:
• Emphasized the need to end stigma and discrimination, using people-first, non-stigmatizing language.
• Advocated for the rights of people who use drugs (PWUD/PWID) to health, dignity, and equal access to services.
• Discussed policy reforms to decriminalize drug use and protect marginalized populations.
• Promoted community-led peer support initiatives for harm reduction and mental health.
• Strengthened pathways for healthcare, mental health care, and social protection access.
Results & Commitments:
• Improved collaboration and mutual understanding between local authorities, service providers, and communities.
• National agencies, including NACD and DMHSA, encouraged all partners to advance health and social benefits for PWUD.
• Mental health is now recognized as essential in rehabilitation center guidelines.
• Dr. Chet Sophal, Director of DMHSA, encouraged resource mobilization to support harm reduction and mental health services across Cambodia.
Together, we reaffirm that harm reduction and mental health support are not optional, they are essential for an equitable, rights-based health response.
#HarmReduction #MentalHealth #HumanRights #CommunityHealth #InclusiveHealthcare #AHRA #KHANA #FrontlineAIDS
