Help me Support Mental Health in Sri Lanka

Hi everyone,

I’m excited to share an incredible opportunity I’ve been given! My name is Emily McHugh, and I’m currently studying for a degree in counselling. This summer, I have the chance to volunteer with The Mighty Roar mental health programme in Sri Lanka - a unique opportunity available only to university students studying mental health-related fields.

Sri Lanka has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, according to the World Health Organization. The demand for mental health support has grown dramatically in recent decades, yet resources remain severely limited - especially in communities affected by the tsunami, where over 40% of people experience common mental disorders, and 3% struggle with severe conditions.

Through this programme, I will have the chance to shadow local mental health professionals, observe consultations, attend in-ward rounds, and gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by mental health services in a developing country. This experience will be invaluable to my studies and future career, allowing me to better support individuals facing mental health struggles.

The total cost of this experience is around £3,000, covering flights, vaccinations, and other expenses. The programme fee itself is £1,019, which includes basic food and accommodation. My family and I are working to cover most of the costs ourselves, but I need your help to raise £1,019 to make this opportunity a reality.

This experience will not only help me grow personally and professionally, but it will also allow me to contribute to mental health support in a community that urgently needs it. Any donation, no matter how small, will bring me one step closer.

Thank you so much for your support - I truly appreciate it!

Together, we can make a difference.