6 Week Sri Lanka Mental Health Placement

Ben Hunt Start Date: Jun 28, 2017 - End Date: Sep 8, 2017
  • Professional Development
  • TEFL/Teach Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Sri Lanka

My Travel Story

by: Ben Hunt Start Date: Jun 28, 2017 - End Date: Sep 8, 2017
  • Professional Development
  • TEFL/Teach Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip
On the 6th November 2017, I am flying out to Sri Lanka to start a six-week mental health placement with SLV Global.

The placement provides opportunities to gain practical experience in a variety of settings, including: delivering fun, English based activity sessions to young children at schools and after school clubs; helping students practice their spoken English and listening skills; working with adults with physical disabilities, learning difficulties, and/or challenging behavior; and running therapeutic activities for patients in psychiatric hospitals, rehabiliation centres and community outreach programs.

Mental health field trips, workshops and optional evening classes are also available to attend during the six weeks.

My timetable for the six weeks may look something like this:

Monday        Lesson Planning (AM)                  Youth Teaching (PM)
Tuesday       Psychiatric Hospital (AM)             Rehabilitation Centre (PM)
Wednesday  Youth Teaching (AM)                   Children's Teaching (PM)
Thursday      Special Needs Work (AM)            Youth Teaching (PM)
Friday           Special Needs Work (AM)            Go Travelling (PM)

Why Sri Lanka?

Still recovering from a 25-year civil war, which ended in 2009, and a devastating tsunami in 2004, Sri Lanka's population needs more psychological support than current services can provide.

With a limitted number of pschologists and qualified mental health professionals in residence, the primary treatment for those with mental health problems is medication, rather than talking therapies. As volunteers working at psychiatric facilities and rehabiliation centres we are there to work alongside local professionals to provide much needed stimulation and human contact to improve patient's wellbeing and increase self-esteem. Furthermore, we hope to reduce stigma around mental health issues and bolster current resources.

I need your help!

This is a voluntary placement and I will not be paid a salary. Therefore, I would be extremely grateful for any donations you can make to help me cover some of the costs. £1400 will cover the cost of homestay accommodation and meals, 24/7 support, in-country training, visa extension and transport whilst in Sri Lanka for the duration of the six weeks. The remaining costs will be funded separately.

Every donation will be greatly appreciated, so if you are able to help, even in a small way, that would be great!

Do you work in education?

Once I'm back from Sri Lanka, I would be more than happy to speak about my experiences in Sri Lanka with undergraduate students who may be considering taking the same placement after they graduate.

Finally...

Thank you for your support! Every donation is greatly appreciated!
  • Sri Lanka