What is mental health?

After Sri Lanka hit two major crises, the population were scarred leading to a high percentage of people having mental health problems because of a conflict and also because of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. This is why mental health has become one of the biggest problems in Sri Lanka as the country is known to have one of the highest suicidal rates (35.3 suicides per 100,000) world-wide. People were deeply stressed that they had started to develop trauma. Alongside Sri Lanka having the highest rate of suicides, the problems the country don’t end there, they also face problems where they find it hard to treat those with mental health due to lack of resources and funding that these individuals are provided with. Mental health care in Sri Lanka is very limited because of how little staff are trained and equipped to deal with such circumstances. Another problem is that the lack of information Sri Lankan people (citizens) have on mental health, they have little or no understanding. However, there have been changes with training programmes for staff to develop their understanding on how these innocent people can be treated and supported. Bringing awareness to Mental Health disorder is very important, EVERYONE needs to understand what it is and why it is so important to be aware of. IT IS OK NOT TO BE OK!!

So what will I be doing during my placement?

In June 2019 I will be travelling to Sri Lanka to work together with SLV Global in which I will be taking part in a Mental Health Placement. During my time in Sri Lanka, I will be gaining the most valuable experience within the field of Mental Health -mostly working in clinical settings. The main aim of this project is to be able to help reduce stigma around mental illness and strengthen the resources that are used in Sri Lanka. My main aim is to be able to identify the cross-cultural way mental health is being treated and supported in different countries in comparison to the UK. The project I will be involved in will include working with children, people with specific needs and helping with English for Development.

What will the donation cover?

I have started a donation page to be able to cover the cost of my placement, the money that is donated will be going straight to my placement, this includes the placement itself, my flight and VISA. The placement fee also covers the following:

1. Training with professionals

2. Weekly workshops: creative therapy, trauma from a perspective of a Sri Lankan.

3. Field trip with a mental health profession.

4. Most importantly accommodation, during the placement I will be staying with a Local Sri Lankan family. They provide breakfast and dinner 5 days a week. Being provided a single bed and clean drinking water.

It would be amazing if anyone can donate and help me cover my costs by 13 May 2019! Thank you for taking the time to read and have a little understanding what I will be doing! If you want to know more about the project you can go on the following link: https://slv.global/sri-lanka-info-pack