MORE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING NEEDED SAYS MOVEMENT

There is a need for more mental health training in the community.

This was the view of 15 Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei participants who took part in an evaluation exercise conducted by the Fiji Alliance for Mental Health recently at Rakiraki Village.

The evaluation was a part of a follow up with participants who had attended a twoday mental health training in July which was funded by the British Council and facilitated by the Alliance.

The training and evaluation is a part of the project that involves teaching members of the Soqosoqo Vakamarama in the 14 provinces with emphasis in giving people with mental health problems visibility and a voice in the community.

Cultural beliefs, signs and symptoms, early interventions, support system, selfcare and suicide were covered during the workshop. The participants were happy with the training and shared its positive outcomes during the evaluations. This included being able to talk more openly about mental health and how they could help in referring people to hospital. Some families now receive social welfare assistance for family members living with mental health problems.

One participant convinced a family in her village to take care of their son instead of leaving him with his grandmother. Youths remain a challenge because they did not take mental health topics seriously and this was something that needs to be addressed. Participants expressed interest in having more mental health education to address some of the problems in their communities and to also stay mentally healthy. The Fiji alliance for Mental Health is the most active non-governmental mental health organisation in Fiji for advocacy, education and de-stigmatisation for individuals suffering from mental health problems.

It has a membership of over 60 individuals and organisations involved in professional training, community education, systemic advocacy, support and fundraising.

Source: Fiji Alliance for Mental Health