Olivia's Sri Lanka Mental Health Placement 2018

Olivia Kilburn Start Date: Aug 29, 2017 - End Date: Jun 18, 2018
  • Sri Lanka

My Travel Story

by: Olivia Kilburn Start Date: Aug 29, 2017 - End Date: Jun 18, 2018
Hi there! First of all I would like to thank you all for visiting my page, I really appreciate everybody's interest and I would love it if you read everything below so that you have the best idea of what this placement will involve!

I’m currently a 20 year old third year Psychology student at the University of Huddersfield and have always been interested in a career in Mental Health and so I was very happy when offered a 5 week mental health placement.
On the 13th of August 2018 I will be leaving for Sri Lanka for 5 weeks on a volunteer placement with SLV Global a volunteer organization that specifically works with those suffering from mental illness in not only Sri Lanka, but also Bali and India, areas that have very little resources for mental health issues. In Sri Lanka specifically, it is thought that around 5-10% of the population suffer from a treatable mental illness, but can’t be helped due to the country being of low income and facing challenges such as poor funding and a lack of medical professionals. 

While I'm there I will be working alongside other volunteers in multiple institutions such as mental health care facilities and special needs facilities with individuals who suffer from mental health problems. I will also be running activities for these patients using sensory, music and creative therapy. By having this opportunity this means I will be able to help individuals with mental health problems through using knowledge of psychology, causes and treatments which can all be made specific to the particular individual. Our typical day will involve working in a psychiatric hospital, with those who have special needs and participating in youth teaching projects teaching English to those who may have needed to travel miles for our help.

This placement is voluntary and unpaid but does have a cost which I will be working as many hours as possible even over my final year to be able to fund this amazing opportunity, but if you hold mental health close to your heart, any donation, big or small is highly appreciated and I would be very thankful.
  • Sri Lanka

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