UPDATE:

I will now be travelling to Bali - Indonesia on September 3rd - September 28th for four weeks and I'll be spending my 21st birthday out there doing what I'm most passionate about. The placement is with the same organisation and entails exactly the same as what is outlined below. After doing my own research on mental health matters in Bali, and after careful consideration I've decided to undertake the work experience in Bali. I've chosen Bali instead, as a year ago it was reported in the Telegraph that ‘’The shackling of people suffering from mental illnesses is widespread in Indonesia, despite having been outlawed in the country 40 years ago ‘’. The practice of shackling is still used to subdue thousands of seriously mentally ill people, and it was reported that there is a widespread belief in Indonesia that mental illness is caused by evil spirits. Thus, I’ve chosen to volunteer in Bali to make somewhat a difference. It is clear that Bali have a lack of awareness, understanding and basic resources to deal with the problem and make vital progress. The most recent figures from Human Rights Watch suggest there is an estimated 18 000 people living in chains or restraints, and 90% of those with a mental illness in Indonesia have no access to services. Families have said they felt they had no other choice but to restrain their relative because of their mental illness. I want to give the Balinese a better outlook on mental health, to enable them to take a different approach and become together as a community to tackle the problem.

A message to those who have already donated, thank you. Again any donation would be extremely helpful.

Keai x

After an application, a telephone interview and an applicant deliberation I have successfully made it onto the Sri Lanka 9th July 2018 Mental Health Placement, a five-week programme in which I am trained to work in a clinical environment at a psychiatric hospital and a rehabilitation centre or in the community imposing as a mental health nurse. I will be running therapeutic activities in the hospital wards with sufferers of mental health, many of which at various stages of recovery – from acute to intermediate. These people are vulnerable, and not in receipt of the treatment people with mental health in the UK receive. They are at greater risk of symptoms worsening and thus leading onto a more severe mental health disorder. I will be providing the best care I possibly can to the patients, giving them the essential coping strategies and skills they need for a faster recovery. The patients need skills and lack certain experiences we have. Mental health in Sri Lanka isn’t something that is looked upon, or something seen as important as much as it is here in the UK and other countries. Professionals are given a distinct budget and are thus very limited to the care and treatment they can provide to patients. Thus I want to give these patients a sense of purpose, and know that their health is seen as important to not just a few but to many. I want them to be feel worthy and as individuals deserving of a place in this world. That is my passion. To know that their condition isn’t viewed as something worth treating, in a political and economic sense breaks my heart.

I will also be working on a variety of other projects which include teaching English to young adults and children who suffer from a type of special need, using the skills I’ve had the chance to spend years building through education, an opportunity they have not been given. I will go on extra workshops and field visits with mental health professionals, and receive a debriefing session with a mental health professional examining the challenging work I have been doing each week to see where I can improve to give the best care I can. The experience, skills and knowledge I will gain from this will aid the line of work I wish to go into after I graduate. I hope to become a Child and Adolescence Mental Health Specialist and experiences like the Sri Lanka Mental Health Project are what I need most to help me through my journey.

However, to do all the above things there comes a cost as unfortunately experiences like this are not free. A fee of £1250 has to be paid to the Sri Lanka Programme, and other costs involve flights and travel money and therefore the total average of the trip is looking to be around £2000. I plan on running 8k next year January/Feb to show my dedication, and any donation to aid my journey would be much appreciated. Help me help them.

Thank you,

Keai