Responding to mental health needs in the Pacific
11 October 2007
Australians with expertise in mental health are working with
health sectors in developing countries around the globe with
Australian Volunteers International to assist in the implementation
and delivery of mental health services.
Australians with expertise in mental health are working with
health sectors in developing countries around the globe with
Australian Volunteers International to assist in the implementation
and delivery of mental health services.
According to AVI recruitment specialist Erika Drury, youth
unemployment, poverty, stigmatisation of people with disabilities,
domestic violence and other cultural issues are among the problems
driving the need to develop effective mental health care services
in the Pacific.
"By recruiting Australians with skills and knowledge in mental
health care for AVI volunteer placements in the Pacific,
organisations and communities are better able to address their
mental health needs," she said.
"Many of the assignments responding to issues of mental health
are in countries where services and interventions in this area are
in their infancy or non-existent.
"Among the places AVI volunteers have worked to respond to these
issues are the Solomon Islands, to assist in training nursing staff
in the diagnosis and administration of appropriate treatment."
AVI, together with Australian Pacific Islands Disability Support
(APIDS) is recruiting an organisational development officer to work
with a Fijian association that needs assistance in creating
advocating activities for people with psychiatric disabilities.
"This role is unique as it provides opportunities for a
volunteer who not only has the right skills and experience but who
has had a psychiatric illness themselves," Ms Drury said.
"This short-term placement provides the volunteer with an
opportunity to understand the cultural issues surrounding mental
health in the Fiji and develop a response that is appropriate to
these communities."
Dealing with issues of mental health in developing communities
has a range of challenges for many of AVI's volunteers.
"In many communities mental health is misunderstood and a
cultural stigma attached to individuals and families that are
living with it," Ms Drury said.
"The work of many volunteers on mental health assignments also
focuses on increasing awareness and educating communities, the
health sector and government about the causes, preventions and
treatments.
"Lack of funding, poor resources and lack of staff are also some
of the issues AVI volunteers and the communities are working to
overcome."
For more information on this position contact Erika Drury on edrury@australianvolunteers.com.
- Ends -
For more information contact:
Christine Crosby, Publicity and Media Liaison, Australian
Volunteers International
Phone: +61 (0)3 9279 1763, Email: ccrosby@australianvolunteers.com
Photo: MartinBlakemore_Fiji_160x110.jpg