The Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) earlier this week organised a half-day session on mental health awareness for post-secondary school students.
The session under the theme ‘Let’s Talk: Mental Health’ was held at the Dockland Auditorium, New Port and it was attended by 60 plus students from the National Institute of Health and Social Studies (NIHSS), Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA), Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA), Seychelles Institute for Teacher Education (Site) and Seychelles Advanced Level Studies (Sals). It was part of the council’s activities for the Youth Festival.
The aim of the interactive session was to provide the youth with necessary information about mental health, to educate and sensitise them about mental associated stigma and different treatments as well as providing the youths with a platform to talk about mental health.
It was also to motivate those who might have been interested to take up a career in the field of psychology.
The session was facilitated by Brigitte Gbilimou, clinical psychologist from the Mental Health Services within the Ministry of Health.
Some of the topics she elaborated on and discussed with the students were; understanding mental health, why it is important, risk factors affecting mental health, categories of mental health, appropriate coping mechanism and where to seek help, including what is psychology, what a psychologist do and career opportunities in the field, among others.
Farella Charlie, a counsellor from SNYC, said that the council is very concerned with the alarming rate of mental anxieties and disorders in the country which have in some instances led some people to commit suicide.
She noted that they held the session to help address the situation, especially among the youths.
Ms Farella stated that as a counsellor, she had encountered and counselled many youths with low self-esteem, depression, anxieties and self body image issues, among others, leading to mental health problems and that those with self harm issues are referred to the Mental Health Services for professional assistance.
She said that the students for the session were chosen by their respective institution’s student support officers and registrars.
She said that the health awareness session is the first of its kind for the Youth Festival and that it will continue to be featured on the festival annual calendar of activities.
She added that another mental health awareness session will be held during the course of the year for other youths in the country.
Most of the students who talked to Seychelles NATION said that apart from gaining self knowledge on mental health, they are in a better position now to share what they have learnt to other colleagues further to helping and counselling those with mental anxieties.
Speaking to Seychelles NATION, Ms Gbilimou, explained that mental health refers to anyone’s state of mental, emotional well-being, whereas mental illnesses are diagnosed conditions that affect thoughts, emotional regulation and behaviour. She added that from 2021, there were 2810 people in contact with the Mental Health Services and among the many cases seen, 2684 were adult aged 19-65 years and above and the rest were children. She stated that 309 outpatients were diagnosed with schizophrenia and delusional disorder.
The definition of health by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” while definition of mental health is “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in”.
Source: Seychelles Nation
