Mental Health Placement Sept. 2018- Charlene Flynn

Charlene Flynn Start Date: Aug 20, 2017 - End Date: Feb 19, 2018
  • Professional Development
  • TEFL/Teach Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Sri Lanka

My Travel Story

by: Charlene Flynn Start Date: Aug 20, 2017 - End Date: Feb 19, 2018
  • Professional Development
  • TEFL/Teach Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip
Hello! First off, thank you for taking the time to view my fundraising page detailing an exciting opportunity that has come my way. For those who have received this link somewhere along the grapevine, my name is Charlene, and I am in my last year of graduate school studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Trauma specialization.

I have created this page because I have been offered, and accepted, a post-graduate level mental health placement position volunteering with SLV Global in Sri Lanka for 8 weeks (starting 17th September 2018) as an Activity Support Worker! This unpaid position allows me to work in community as well as clinical settings with individuals who experience mental illness through the facilitation of therapeutic activities.

Sri Lanka, the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is still recovering from a 25-year civil war as well as a tsunami in 2004. Hence, a level of psychological support is needed that current resources unfortunately cannot provide. For example, there is often one psychiatrist for every 500,000 Sri Lankan individuals who experience mental health issues. With few psychologists and psychiatrists in residence, the main treatment provided to individuals who experience mental illness is medication.

The mission of SLVolunteers is to provide creative as well as therapeutic approaches to healing that are not readily available to the Sri Lankan population. SLVolunteers engage in various projects with special needs populations, children’s development and mental health care in Sri Lankan psychiatric units with an aim to increase overall well-being and confidence in service users who are often over-stimulated and withdrawn.

I have chosen to volunteer with SLV Global because I align with their socially conscious focus on sustainability as well as providing an ethical experience to volunteers. SLV Global provides consistent support in Sri Lanka while not exploiting the individuals they work with.

If you are willing and able to help me get the ball rolling with this journey of a lifetime, I would be forever grateful! 

 

Charlene
  • Sri Lanka

Updates

2

  • UPDATE #2!

    UPDATE #2!
    As the year comes to a close (and I brace myself for required rabies shots), I want to once again thank everyone who has shown interest in this global mental health opportunity, sent well wishes, donated money or spread the word on my behalf. I continue to be humbled by the generosity and support I have received.

    My FundMyTravel page will be active until February 2018 if you are willing and able to support me in my continued participation in the mental health field through a global mental health placement in Sri Lanka! Your support will enable me to view mental health challenges and resiliencies present in Sri Lankan communities through the lens of the Sri Lankan individuals themselves.

    I have added donor rewards that are up for grabs as well to show my appreciation for all the support! :)

  • UPDATE #1!

    UPDATE #1!
    Today marks two full weeks since my fundraising page launched, and I am humbled by the generosity and support I have received! Thank you to everyone who has shown interest in this global mental health opportunity, sent well wishes, donated money and spread the word on my behalf.

    My FundMyTravel page will be active until February 2018 if you are willing and able to support me in my continued participation in the mental health field through a global mental health placement in Sri Lanka! Your support will enable me to view mental health challenges and resiliencies present in Sri Lankan communities through the lens of the Sri Lankan individuals themselves.

    I have added donor rewards that are up for grabs as well to show my appreciation for all the support! :)

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