5 weeks in Sri Lanka assisting the mental health services

Jenny Brooks Start Date: Aug 3, 2017 - End Date: Jul 18, 2018
  • Sri Lanka

My Travel Story

by: Jenny Brooks Start Date: Aug 3, 2017 - End Date: Jul 18, 2018
This time volunteering will give me the invaluable experience of working in the mental health services in a completely different culture. This is important as it will educate me on the differences between care in the UK and Sri lanka and allow me to see first hand the importance of a global mental health perspective. 
This work is also important as mental health resources in low income countries such as Sri Lanka are scarce, volunteers are a key source of help for local communities.
Also, many families lack the money or education to care for and support a child with mental health difficulties which would be seen as normal within the UK such as austim spectrum disorder. This means alot of the work involves caring for and designing workshops for children who live outside of the family home, providing them with a better foundation for the future.
I am passionate about this as within mental health there is an overfocus on western societies in research and practice; SLV hones in on this by recruiting individuals with mental health backgrounds from the UK to assist mental health workers in Sri Lanka in order to help reduce the disparity of resources on a community level. 
I completed a programme with SLV in Summer 2017 in India on Clinical practice and ancient methods, it taught me how culture plays a key role in mental health. This motivated me even more to volunteer in Sri Lanka to put what I learnt into practice and use my time to benefit others.
Although it is still volunteering, flights, accomodation and food all come at a cost, any help to get me to Sri Lanka would be appreciated!
My goal is to raise 50% of funds fundraising and 50% through part time work
Thanks guys! 
  • Sri Lanka