A NEW mental health wellness clinic was recently opened in Tavua to broaden services in terms of mental health awareness outreach programs in the area.
The new clinic was opened by the Tavua Hospital in partnership with its Board of Visitor.
The facility was established through renovating an unoccupied building space within the Tavua Hospital premises.
According to a Government media release, the mental health wellness clinic consists of a consultation room for mental health and a school health program section that will be managed by a dietician.
Subdivisional Medical Officer Tavua Dr Oluwafemi O. Ojo says the new clinic for mental health wellness will greatly boost the outreach awareness and support services they provide to the mental health patients in Tavua.
“Currently we have 47 clients and most of these are cases related to depression and even some are cases of attempted suicide,” Dr Ojo said.
“The new clinic will provide a conducive environment for health professionals to conduct regular counselling sessions with our patients.”
The awareness programs in communities and schools will also be coordinated through the clinic.
“We hope to reachout to many more people through this new clinic.
“Mental health is a critical wellness component and through more awareness we will advocate for a barrier free society.
“To ensure that those living with mental health issues are not stigmatised and they have equal voice and opportunity to progress in their lives,” Dr Ojo said.
Apart from mental health programs, the new clinic will also incorporate health programs for addressing Non-Communicable Diseases and immunisation.
“The new clinic will also be opened to school students and parents to have easy access to information and consultation with health staff regarding the prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, healthy diet and lifestyle.
“The nurses will also provide information to parents on the importance of immunisation, health hygiene and prevention of communicable diseases. All in all this new clinic will boost the health services here in Tavua, “Dr Ojo said.
Dr Ojo also thanked all his staff and donors who have made important contribution towards the new Mental Health Wellness Clinic and emphasised that working in unity is the key to creating positive developments.
He said the project was a reflection of the commitment of Fiji’s Health Ministry and strengthened collaboration with stakeholders to enhance the health services.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry in partnership with government ministries, Non-Government Organisations, Civil Society Organisations will commemorate the month of September as Suicide Prevention month with the theme, “Working Together to Prevent Suicide.”
The Health Ministry is capitalising on a collaborative approach through the National Committee on the Prevention of Suicide (NCOPS) in reaching out to the NGO’s, communities, schools, families, churches on how to cope with stressors, developing resilience, and how to manage their stressors to prevent severe distress.
