SLV Graduate Placement

Ellice Whyte Start Date: Nov 2, 2017 - End Date: Nov 1, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • TEFL/Teach Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Sri Lanka
  • India

My Travel Story

by: Ellice Whyte Start Date: Nov 2, 2017 - End Date: Nov 1, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • TEFL/Teach Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip
In September 2018 I will be leaving to embark on a 3 month placement where I will be working with individuals who suffer from mental health issues in Sri Lanka.

With few psychologists in residence, the primary method of treatment for those with mental health issues in Sri Lanka is pharmacological. Beds in psychiatric hospitals are scarce and although the community often rallies and aims to provide some respite for the families in need, the lack of formally qualified mental health professionals is apparent.

By sponsoring me, you will play an integral role in helping me run activities for patients and using sensory, music and creative therapies to engage with patients on a variety of wards in multiple institutions. I will be attending workshops run by Samutthana, the King’s College London resource centre for trauma, displacement and mental health. The main aim of Samutthana is to train and support organisations and individuals to respond to the psychosocial needs of trauma sufferers i.e. tsunami survivors and those who have experienced civil conflict in Sri Lanka.

I will also be working with individuals with special needs and teaching English to children and to young people on vocational courses.

In addition to this, I would like to finish with a week-long educational program in India with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience, where I will learn how to combine medical and holistic practice to promote a unique approach to mental well-being. 

To help me achieve all of this, I need financial assistance to cover the placement fees of £1700 and an additional £550 for the educational program. Of course, I do not expect money for nothing! So for any company that contributes over £200, I will be offering Mental Health Awareness Training for up to 12 of your senior staff that I will tailor to your company's needs! With 1 in 5 people calling in sick to avoid work when they are feeling stressed, a lack of staff wellbeing can be extremely costly and with the right training I can help you improve this. Want to donate more? I will run more sessions for more people and give you social media coverage.

Thank you for any donation, big or small. With your kindness, I will not only be able to make a difference in a country that needs our help but also bring back valuable experiences and knowledge that I endeavour to use back home.


  • Sri Lanka
  • India

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