Advocates for mental health in the country are now doing all they can to ensure that proper mental health services are provided by the Health Ministry in all the divisions in Fiji.
The country only has Saint Giles Hospital for mental health patients.
All other divisions only have stress management wards.
Fijivillage has received reports from some families that they cannot bring their loved ones to Saint Giles Hospital due to funding and other issues.
Some are sent back from the hospital after some time and they cannot come back for medicine or future admission due to funding.
Volunteer for Youth Champs for Mental Health Lionel Rogers, who deals with many people needing mental health services, said more needs to be done.
He said the stress wards do not have specialized treatment and the clinical nurses who attend to patients need training on mental health.
Rogers said while they are trying their best to ensure that people survive mental health related issues, the fact remains that some people need special attention and treatment.
Rogers said funding for mental health is still a major issue.
He said people’s attitude towards mental health also needs to change.
World Mental Health Day will be celebrated tomorrow.
We have contacted the Ministry of Health and they are yet to respond.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
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Mental health services need to be expanded - Rogers
