In August 2018, I am travelling to Sri Lanka to participate in the Level one Mental Health Placement with SLV.global for 5 weeks. I will be working in a variety of sectors, such as a Psychiatric Ward, a Mental Health Home, teaching in schools and working with Special Needs. As a Psychology student, I know how important it is that therapeutic treatments are offered for mental illnesses, and this is what SLV.global aims to provide to Sri Lankan communities, helping them to eradicate their current reliance upon pharmaceutical therapies. This will also be an invaluable experience for myself, undoubtedly teaching me life lessons along the way.
Following the 25-year civil war and the 2004 tsunami, Sri Lanka is still in a fragile state and needs the psychological resources SLV.global aim to offer. Beds in psychiatric hospitals are scarce and although the community often rallies and aims to provide some respite for the families in need, the lack of formally qualified mental health professionals is apparent. This is why I have chosen to go abroad and work with fellow volunteers in Sri Lanka: to try and reduce stigma and bolster current resources for the community.
Funds raised on the page will be used to cover the fee of the placement, with extra costs such as flights and vaccinations being covered by myself. I truly appreciate any donation made to this programme - not only will it be helping me achieve a trip of a lifetime, but it will also help the community of Sri Lanka.
If you have any questions/queries/general comments, please get in touch! It's a hugely important programme that I will be happy to discuss! Or you can visit the SLV.global website at www.slv.global for unbiased comments. Thank you!