Wellness Clinic Opens In Tavua
The Mental Health Wellness Clinic consists of a consultation room for mental health and school health program section that will be managed by a dietician.
room for mental health and school health program section that will be managed by a dietician. Subdivisional Medical Officer Tavua Dr Oluwafemi O. Ojo, says that the new clinic for mental health wellness will greatly boost the outreach awareness and support services they provide to the mental health patients in Tavua. “Currently we have 47 clients and most of these are cases related to depression, some are cases of attempted suicide,” Dr Ojo said. “The new clinic will provide a conducive environment for health professionals to conduct regular counselling sessions with our patients.”
The awareness programmes in communities and schools will also be co-ordinated through Mental Health Wellness Clinic.
“We hope to reach out to many more people through this new clinic. Mental health is a critical wellness component and through more awareness we will advocate for a barrier free society," Dr Ojo said. “To ensure that those living with mental health issues are not stigmatised and they have equal voice and opportunity to progress in their lives."
Apart from mental health programs, the new clinic will incorporate health programmes for addressing Non-Communicable Diseases and Immunisation.
He also thanked all his staff and donors who have made important contribution towards the new Mental Health Wellness Clinic and emphasised that working in unity is the key to creating positive developments.
Dr Ojo said the project was a reflection of the commitment of the Health Ministry and strengthened collaboration with stakeholders to enhance the health services. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry in partnership with government ministries, non-government organisations, civil society organisations will commemorate the month of September as Suicide Prevention month with the theme, “Working Together to Prevent Suicide.”
The ministry is capitalising on a collaborative approach through the National Committee on the Prevention of Suicide (NCOPS) in reaching out to the NGO’s, communities, schools, families, churches on how to cope with stressors, developing resilience, and how to manage their stressors to prevent severe distress.
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