Mental Health in Sri Lanka
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Help improve mental health care in Sri Lanka
As an undergraduate final year psychology student with hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology, I have decided to volunteer in Sri Lanka with SLV Global for a mental health placement. The placement involves working closely with psychiatrists in psychiatric hospitals, residential care homes, schools and youth clubs. I’ll run therapeutic activities in clinical settings and with the community, along with carrying out community outreach projects with people of all ages and aiding the development of children. The general aim is to promote positive mental health and overall well-being.
Why Sri Lanka?
I chose Sri Lanka because it is an underdeveloped country that has experienced a number of traumatic experiences, such as the 26-year civil war that the country has just come out of, as well as the tsunami that occurred in 2004. It's been identified as a nation with one of the highest suicide rates globally. The population is in need of psychological support as there is a lack of mental health care, due to poor funding and because of the scarcity of trained psychiatrists, with only one psychiatrist available for every 500 000 people!
There is, unfortunately, a massive stigma associated with mental health in the South Asian population, where it is often seen as taboo, with many negative views associated with it. This, in turn, can be a barrier to the utilisation of services and causes individuals to feel alone with nowhere to turn. Not only would I like to do this placement to directly help people in Sri Lanka to overcome their battles with mental health, but I’d also like to raise awareness and break these stigmas.
Mental health is something that I hold close to my heart as I have not only experienced it myself, but I also have loved ones with poor mental health. I, therefore, know first hand how debilitating and life-limiting it can be.
Whilst I am there I intend to vlog my whole experience showing what I got up to along with the difficulties that people in Sri Lanka face with mental health and the lack of resources available to them. It is important to raise as much awareness as I can as this topic lacks media coverage.
Where will the money go?
As funds for this placement abroad are costly, I will be working hard to make this trip possible for me, but I will need some assistance in doing so. With your help in sponsoring me to help pay for program fees, it will all be possible! I will no doubt make the most out of this opportunity to volunteer in the mental health sector in Sri Lanka.
The money that I raise will cover placement fees of £1300 which includes a donation to SLV’s mental health fund. The placement fee does not cover flights or required documentation, therefore, £200 of the money raised will go towards that.
Anything raised above £1500 will be donated to a mental health charity.
Aiding the support for mental health is something that I am truly passionate about. I would really appreciate your help by sharing this page and donating, which would allow me to pursue this opportunity to improve mental health care in Sri Lanka. Even the smallest donation would be greatly appreciated, as it’s the little things that make the big things count!
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Another way to help would be to sign up to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/srilankamentalhealthplacement2/ for FREE!
Every time you shop online via the above link at one of the 3,300 retailers including ASOS, Amazon and John Lewis, a donation will be made and it won’t cost you an extra penny. There are no catches or hidden charges!
---------
Don't forget to share!
Thank you for your support x
https://slv.global/

As an undergraduate final year psychology student with hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology, I have decided to volunteer in Sri Lanka with SLV Global for a mental health placement. The placement involves working closely with psychiatrists in psychiatric hospitals, residential care homes, schools and youth clubs. I’ll run therapeutic activities in clinical settings and with the community, along with carrying out community outreach projects with people of all ages and aiding the development of children. The general aim is to promote positive mental health and overall well-being.
Why Sri Lanka?
I chose Sri Lanka because it is an underdeveloped country that has experienced a number of traumatic experiences, such as the 26-year civil war that the country has just come out of, as well as the tsunami that occurred in 2004. It's been identified as a nation with one of the highest suicide rates globally. The population is in need of psychological support as there is a lack of mental health care, due to poor funding and because of the scarcity of trained psychiatrists, with only one psychiatrist available for every 500 000 people!
There is, unfortunately, a massive stigma associated with mental health in the South Asian population, where it is often seen as taboo, with many negative views associated with it. This, in turn, can be a barrier to the utilisation of services and causes individuals to feel alone with nowhere to turn. Not only would I like to do this placement to directly help people in Sri Lanka to overcome their battles with mental health, but I’d also like to raise awareness and break these stigmas.
Mental health is something that I hold close to my heart as I have not only experienced it myself, but I also have loved ones with poor mental health. I, therefore, know first hand how debilitating and life-limiting it can be.
Whilst I am there I intend to vlog my whole experience showing what I got up to along with the difficulties that people in Sri Lanka face with mental health and the lack of resources available to them. It is important to raise as much awareness as I can as this topic lacks media coverage.
Where will the money go?
As funds for this placement abroad are costly, I will be working hard to make this trip possible for me, but I will need some assistance in doing so. With your help in sponsoring me to help pay for program fees, it will all be possible! I will no doubt make the most out of this opportunity to volunteer in the mental health sector in Sri Lanka.
The money that I raise will cover placement fees of £1300 which includes a donation to SLV’s mental health fund. The placement fee does not cover flights or required documentation, therefore, £200 of the money raised will go towards that.
Anything raised above £1500 will be donated to a mental health charity.
Aiding the support for mental health is something that I am truly passionate about. I would really appreciate your help by sharing this page and donating, which would allow me to pursue this opportunity to improve mental health care in Sri Lanka. Even the smallest donation would be greatly appreciated, as it’s the little things that make the big things count!
---------
Another way to help would be to sign up to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/srilankamentalhealthplacement2/ for FREE!
Every time you shop online via the above link at one of the 3,300 retailers including ASOS, Amazon and John Lewis, a donation will be made and it won’t cost you an extra penny. There are no catches or hidden charges!
---------
Don't forget to share!
Thank you for your support x
https://slv.global/
Organiser and beneficiary
Luxmi Vijay
Organiser
Luxmi Vijay
Beneficiary
