As a mental health volunteer in Sri Lanka, you can gain psychology work experience and learn about mental health in the developing world. This program is designed for those currently studying in the field of psychology or mental health. Meanwhile, it provides an opportunity to gain insight and awareness within a range of settings in the healthcare system. The mental health needs of Sri Lanka have continued to increase in recent decades. However, mental health services have struggled to respond to such developments.

BACKGROUND TO THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

Sri Lanka’s suicide rates are amongst the highest globally, according to the World Health Organisation, and mental health needs in Sri Lanka today are soaring. It is estimated that in tsunami-affected areas 40% of people suffer from common mental disorders and there is a 3% prevalence of severe mental disorders. In more recent times, the country as a whole is moving away from a traditional cultural stigma existing around mental health in Sri Lanka. Something which stems back from the Buddhist beliefs of reincarnation. Integrating mental health into the primary care of Sri Lanka’s public health system and private sector still remains challenging. However, more recently there has been encouraging signs that right tracks are being made to do this.

Such progressions originated in the late 1970s with the emergence of a Non-Government Organisation – ‘The National Council for Mental Health’. Consequently, Medical Officers of Mental Health (MOMHs) were introduced, with the aspiration of having a MOMH in each of Sri Lanka’s 276 subdistricts – at a ratio of one MOMH per 70,000 population. However, such a ratio led to its own constraints. MOMHs often suffer from excessive workloads, with too many patients to see or not enough valuable time spent with each patient in the clinic. Shortage of essential medicines in both clinics and inpatient units is also a problem. Plus, a lack of community based psychiatric treatment settings.

Systematic training programs have been introduced to help support mental health officers. This includes a process for them to then pass on such training they receive downwards to the medical staff in their district. Their training includes multiple discussion sessions and role-plays that facilitate active learning and practising core competencies. For example, they will have assessments about the severity of depression/suicide and explanations of medication side effects to facilitate adherence.

In line with this, emerging mental health issues are now being ingrained, accepted and made accessible to the general population as part of Sri Lanka primary healthcare, both in government and private hospitals. For instance, the healthcare system now provides for coping with trauma and stress-related problems and understanding the mental health problems of those physically ill. Rehabilitation for people with prolonged mental illnesses is becoming more important, as well as raising awareness through community mental health education problems. Our mental health volunteering abroad program provides participants with the opportunity to gain a broad overview, understanding and insight into mental health care and needs within a different culture.

The Sri Lanka volunteer program is based predominately in the Galle District. However, some placement opportunities also extend further afield to the Colombo region. Our mental health project in Sri Lanka is considered one of the most varied volunteering abroad programs.

MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES

The mental health & psychology program aims to provide you with an opportunity to work within a range of settings in a new environment and culture. The following placement opportunities are available on the assumption we receive the required paperwork from you in the correct format at least 3 weeks before your program start date. Please note, this project is not available to high school leavers nor applicants from a non-psychology related background. Placement opportunities for mental health volunteers in Sri Lanka include -

Government Base Hospital - As a mental health volunteer in Sri Lanka, you will spend time observing mental health counsellors in a hospital setting. This will be during consultation periods with in-ward and out-ward patients at government hospital clinics. Examples will include shadowing speech therapists and art therapy sessions.

When in the hospital setting, the doctor will aim to translate and explain as much as possible to participants whilst the consultation with the patient is taking place. They will speak good English so should be able to debrief and receive questions from you accordingly. It is important for participants to be flexible in the environment they are in and appreciate that a doctor’s schedule is busy. Therefore, the doctor may not be able to translate and explain to you each patient consultation.

National Institute of Mental Health - On an ad hoc basis, participants usually get the chance to spend time at the National Institute of Mental Health. This is the largest hospital for mental health in Sri Lanka. Here participants receive a presentation about mental health in Sri Lanka and get a tour of all the in-patient services. For instance, you'll learn about the psychogeriatric, ECT, and isolation units and how they administer therapies, drugs, and injections. There is also a range of out-patient services that you will be able to visit as a mental health volunteer in Sri Lanka, such as day rehabilitation centres.

Generally speaking, the first line of treatment for mental health patients in services remains to be medication. It is a lot more available and accessible than other therapeutic medications such as creative therapies and meditations. As a consequence, in reality, these alternative treatments are often not widely received by those with mental health needs.

Rehabilitation Centre - Part of your placement will be based at Sithniwana Rehabilitation Centre. This serves as a treatment and support centre to integrate those with mental illness back into society. Each mental health volunteer in Sri Lanka will be able to partake in and observe their daily schedule of activities or consultations, depending on the available timetable.

Located around 1 hour from Ambalangoda, this is a weekly placement that is one of the highlights of the mental health experience. The Rehabilitation Centre is very much a forward-thinking framework, which is all about rehabilitation for the patients and providing a wide range of occupational therapies. Moreover, the long term goal is for patients at the home to return back into mainstream society without relapsing. The setting is mostly home to adults and has a team of nurses and support staff to manage the daily schedule.

Each volunteer in Sri Lanka will get a chance to interact with those based at the centre, so you can ask them questions and learn about their experiences. In addition, you can provide hands-on support with occupational therapy, such as creative arts and learning, as well as structured daily exercise classes to encourage positive wellbeing. Participants are encouraged to be proactive and ask questions to learn from the experts about mental health in Sri Lanka, as well as the stigmas attached.

Lectures, Seminars & Workshops - You will also get the opportunity to take part in a series of workshops relating to mental health in Sri Lanka. This may include sessions with local consultants who share their experiences working within the Sri Lanka mental health system.

Firstly, you will learn about Ayurveda, which is an ancient medicine system rooted in the Indian subcontinent. Ayurveda consists of concepts and practices that promote the use of herbal compounds, special diets, and other unique natural health practices. The seminar will explain a different dynamic and perspective onto how patients are treated with regard to mental health and the traditional Sri Lankan medical system. Volunteers will also get to experience oil treatment sessions which is used to help individuals with depression and anxiety.

Every mental health volunteer in Sri Lanka will also be welcome to a lecture from a Buddhist monk. Here you will explore how Buddhists and Sri Lankan people are dealing with mental health problems. In addition, you may learn how core values, practices, and beliefs are helping with this, such as meditation.

On an ad hoc basis, you may also be invited to attend additional mental health events and workshops. For example, visits to alcohol and drugs information centres and learning about the impact they can have on the wellbeing of Sri Lanka people. Additionally, visiting a suicide prevention centre as volunteers enjoy a 2 hour workshop about Sri Lanka’s suicide prevention procedure. It is usually quite rare that these opportunities become available, but if they do our local team is on hand to provide such opportunities for you.

We are able to support students who would like to join our mental health & psychology program as part of an elective or university placement. Please contact a member of our team to discuss this in detail.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER AS A MENTAL HEALTH VOLUNTEER IN SL

Return Airport Transfer - Your return airport transfer is not included in your Program Fee. Our local team can help arrange onward transfers to the airport or an alternative destination from the volunteer accommodation. Making specific arrangements once in Sri Lanka provides more flexibility as plans can often change and participants may be on similar flight plans. The costs depend on your method of transport and your final destination. This can often be split across multiple participants if you are travelling with someone else on the program. It is strongly advised not to travel by public transport or ridesharing apps back to the airport. Whilst this may be cheaper, it is far less convenient and comes with additional safety risks.

Top PMGY Destination - Sri Lanka is widely considered to be the best PMGY volunteer destination due to the superior local support, value for money and overall experience on offer in Ambalangoda. The local Sri Lankan team really go above-and-beyond to ensure each volunteer has the best possible experience and this is reflected in volunteer feedback. As a result, we believe this is the perfect destination for a first-time traveller who is looking for a little extra support, plenty of organised weekend trips and wants to get involved in some fantastic local initiatives in an exotic location.

University Students Only - Please note the mental health & psychology program in Sri Lanka is only available to those already studying a psychology/mental health-related degree at university and is not be available to those with no exposure or studying at levels beneath this (e.g. A-Levels). The project is available to graduates, but as this is a learning and insight experience graduates may not find this suitable to what they would be looking for from the placement.

Project Duration - We recommend 2-3 weeks on the program to gain experience and get a broad insight into your mental health placements. This should allow you to experience most of the placement settings described above within the mental health & psychology program.

Internship Style Experience - Participants joining the Sri Lanka mental health experience should be aware that the project does not allow for much hands-on involvement regardless of the level of study. The experience is designed in an internship style whereby participants will enjoy an observational and learning exchange program with the local healthcare professionals at the various placement settings. In turn, developing a deeper insight into the Sri Lankan mental health system and broadening the perspective and interests of the mental health volunteer.

Trained Professionals - Please note this program is not suitable for trained professionals who are looking to practise overseas. This opportunity is only suitable for participants currently studying mental health or psychology and wishing to learn about a healthcare system overseas.

Weekends - Your project work in Sri Lanka runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Sri Lanka Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend. We also run two separate weekend trips which you can sign-up to before you depart for Sri Lanka. We offer the Adventure Hill & Country Trip, the Cultural Triangle & Elephants Trip along with the Maldives Chill Out Trip with opportunities running every month.