SLV. Global Sri Lanka Mental Health Placement

Tanya Gupta Start Date: Jan 25, 2018 - End Date: Oct 24, 2018
  • Sri Lanka

My Travel Story

by: Tanya Gupta Start Date: Jan 25, 2018 - End Date: Oct 24, 2018
SLV. Global is a UK based organisation that provides students and graduates with hand-on work experience abroad in the mental health sector. It is a gradaute led project which was founded in 2010. A group of psychology students travelled to Sri Lanka, where there are limited resources, facilities and insufficient services for mental health. 

I have been offered with a unique opportunity to volunteer for five weeks in Sri Lanka on the Mental Health Placement. This exciting and challenging placement will give me the crucial skills that I need and will provide me with experience which will not only help my career to achieve my dreams, but also hopefully make a positive impact on the wider community.

Whilst volunteering in Sri Lanka, I will be taking part in various types of activities. I will be working with individuals with special needs in a Psychiatric Unit, where I will be expected to be innovative and develop strategies on how I could best help the patients who are at varying stages of their recovery. Also, I will be teaching English to the wider community, which will not only boost their confidence but also improve their communication skills as English is a commodity in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, I will be working in schools providing extracurricular activities and being a role model for the children who often suffer from poverty. Additionaly, I will be running all the project activities, working in a team with other volunteers and taking responsibility for using my skills to work in under-resourced centres. Lastly, alongside the clinical setting, I will be working 5 days a week along staying with a Sri Lankan Family. 

I am really looking forward to work in a completely new culture and challenging environment. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Underneath lies the stigma of mental health, subsequently leading to the restricted resources. The fact that this is a work- experience placement and not a holiday is a really important aspect of why I chose to apply to volunteer with them. Furthermore, I want to spread awareness of global mental health and make an impact in Sri Lanka.

I have uploaded videos of the beautiful country where I will be volunteering. 

Any donation will be much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support. 
  • Sri Lanka

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