Volunteering in Sri Lanka - SLV Global

Holly Ibbotson Start Date: Apr 3, 2018 - End Date: Jul 7, 2018
  • Sri Lanka

My Travel Story

by: Holly Ibbotson Start Date: Apr 3, 2018 - End Date: Jul 7, 2018
I'm Holly, a psychology undergraduate at the University of Lincoln. I am lucky enough to have been accepted onto a mental health placement volunteering in Sri Lanka for 5 weeks in June. Sri Lanka is one of the countries that lacks funding and trained human resources, with only one psychatrist for every 500,000 people. In a country with one of the highest sucide rates (around 6,000 deaths per year, with 100,000 attempting suicide), it is vital that global help is offered.

Throughout the five weeks I will be participating in different projects. These will include working alongside individuals with mental health issues. I will be running activities for patients using sensory, music and creative therapies to engage with patients on a ward in multiple institutions, such as psychiatric facilities and mental health homes. I will also be attending workshops run by Sammutthana, the Kings College London resource centre for trauma, displacement and mental health. The main aim of Sammuthana is to train and support organisations and individuals to respond to the psychosocial needs of trauma sufferers (i.e tsunami survivors, and those who have experienced civil conflict in Sri Lanka.

In addition to these projects I will also be working with individuals with special needs and teaching english to children and young people on vocational courses; using my skills to work with those who may be marginalised in Sri Lankan society. 

This work is a voluntary unpaid placement, and comes at a cost. Therefore, I am asking friends, family, or anyone who holds mental health close to their heart to help sponser my trip so I can help. The cost of my trip with go towards my training, support, as well as my homestay plus meals with a local Sri Lankan family and travel to and from placement. 
Any donations would be greatly appreciated!
  • Sri Lanka

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