Mental health volunteering work placement in Sri Lanka

Zarema Munro Start Date: Feb 9, 2018 - End Date: Jul 8, 2018
  • Sri Lanka

My Travel Story

by: Zarema Munro Start Date: Feb 9, 2018 - End Date: Jul 8, 2018
Hi everyone!
Thank you for visiting and reading my story. My name is Zarema, I'm currently studying MSci Psychology at the University of Bristol. I've been working in the mental health sector for a number of years, working with people of different ages with various mental health conditions. I'm always passionate about helping people, trying to give as much as I can back to the community, so a while ago I've started volunteering especially for the Barnardo's charity where I've volunteered for 7 years. 

In the UK, mental health effects almost every household impacting people in different ways. But how do other cultures deal with it, do they get affected the same way as western countries and what treatments do they use? Last year I've visited the mental institution in India to learn about their cultural views and perspectives and I've gained a deeper understanding of successful holistic treatments they offer. 

This summer my goal is to travel to Sri Lanka for 5 weeks with SLV.GLOBAL to work with psychiatric patients, elderly people, those visiting community centers, and children. I'm sure that the joint work of volunteers can make a difference to someone's life. Seeing someone being happy is a first step towards achieving that goal and I'm so happy to be given such an amazing opportunity to be a part of that. 
Sri Lanka has a shortage of mental health professionals, so volunteers such as myself will provide a much-needed therapy which might include art and music therapy, cognitive therapy or maybe just support patients with their daily needs.

Another project I will work on is teaching the English language to children in the schools. Living in the western countries, we are privileged to speak one of the most spoken languages in the world. This gives us the opportunities that people in other, less privileged countries cannot get. Teaching English in a creative way full of songs, fun and excitement is a great path towards successful language learning, which of course will open more doors for them in the future!

Am very privileged and extremely excited to be a part of something amazing, to support those in need and to be able to spread awareness of global mental health. 

Thank you in advance for any donations towards this incredible cause. Your support is greatly appreciated! 

  • Sri Lanka

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