Victoria: The Office of the President has announced the appointment of Mrs. Beryl Naiken as the Secretary of State for Mental Health Care.
According to African Press Organization, Mrs. Naiken is a seasoned professional with a Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling from the University of Adelaide and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology from Edith Cowan University. She is also pursuing a PhD in Relationship Dynamics. Her extensive career, spanning over 28 years, includes roles in psychotherapy, counselling, public sector leadership, and human rights-based practice.
Mrs. Naiken has held several senior leadership positions, such as Director General at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family, Advisor to the Minister of Family Affairs, and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation (APDAR). She has contributed significantly to social development, mental health services, and human rights advocacy through her work in various government and non-governmental institutions in Seychelles.
Before her new appointment, Mrs. Naiken was the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Human Rights Commission. Her role as Secretary of State for Mental Health Care will commence on 15th January 2026.