Mental health program in North

The Ministry of Health and the College of Psychiatrists will implement a special project on mental health for the Northern Province funded by the Australian Government, through its aid agency, AusAID.

In this special initiative, Australia will fund World Vision to assist the Ministry of Health in the implementation of the community based components of the National Mental Health Policy in the Northern Province through the 'Reconciliation through integration of Mental Health in Northern Districts' (REMIND) project in Sri Lanka.

The Australian Government will provide Rs. 50 million over a one-year period. Australia's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Kathy Klugman said "Mental Health concerns are clearly a pressing need in the North. We are happy to be part of this important initiative".

The program will fund the deployment of 40 Community Support Officers and 10 mental health service centres over the next year.

The project design seeks to use best practices to build the capacity of government mental health services and the communities they serve.

In particular, strengthening relationships is central to the project approach. REMIND will promote equitable recovery and reconciliation in the north including through greater trust and better relationships between individuals, families, communities and government services.

The Ministry of Health (MOH), Health Services (Northern Provincial Council), Medical Office of Mental Health (MOMH), College of Psychiatrists (COP) will be key partners in the implementation of the project.

The people living in northern Sri Lanka have experienced prolonged conflict, displacement and extreme poverty.

As families begin resettling in their villages and re-establishing their livelihoods, mental health and well-being has been identified as an urgent and important need.

By addressing peoples well-being there is opportunity to shield individuals from psychiatric illness, encourage speedier emotional and social recovery as well as support families and communities to look towards a positive and peaceful future.