Founder of a local mental health awareness organisation Changing the Narrative is calling for more recognition of mental health issues by Papua New Guinea’s corporate community.
Gaironedi Lavett, says that stigma is so big in the country that we feel anger and aggression instead of compassion towards those that are mentally ill.
Lavett believes that the business community must take into account the fact that there may be employees suffering from mental health issues that they are not aware of.
“Business houses must not treat their employees like robots; they need to be aware that sometimes performance is hindered because people are struggling mentally”, she said.
Stigma around mental illness in Papua New Guinea, has become a norm within communities due to the level of awareness on mental health. Papua New Guineans need to know the harm caused by disparaging language and actions toward those living with a mental illness.
With all the uncertainty brought on by the covid-19 pandemic, global suicide rates have increased significantly, and no doubt the effects of the situation have been taking their toll locally as well.
The common age group that is impacted by mental illness ranges between 15 and 29 with the main causes being depression and drug use, stated by Dr Losavati Daugunu, CEO of the Laloki Psychiatric Hospital.
The effects on individuals who experience trauma through all forms of violence, harassment or bullying can be seen through behavior. Mental illness in PNG is also viewed at a cultural perspective which could be a challenge for the awareness, diagnosis and treatment process (The History of Mental Health in Papua New Guinea, 2017).
Lavett uses the example of a campaign led by Canadian electronics company, Bell Canada, which has united millions of people across Canada in promoting mental health awareness through an initiative which has also reached the international community.
Since the inception of the “Bell Let’s Talk” campaign in 2010, an incredible $155m has been committed to organisations to provide support and services for mental health.
In partnership with more than 1,300 organisations, Bell Let’s Talk has been able to support 5.5 million Canadians with access to mental health services and changed attitudes as reported by 82
percent of Canadians. Furthermore, the campaign has been the single largest corporate commitment in the country’s history.
Central to the campaign are four guiding pillars; anti-stigma, care and access, research and workplace leadership.
Guided by these pillars, the campaign’s main methods or outlets are social media, post-secondary outreach, community fund grants and celebrity support. The amount of attention this campaign has gained has led to its success to date, and should be an example for other nations.
There is an opportunity for corporate organisations to consider, as in the case of the Bell Let’s Talk initiative, a way to contribute as part of their corporate-social responsibility.
Stigma often worsens the condition of a person with a mental illness and is a major concern because of the barrier it builds, hence, this is the silence that the awareness campaign seeks to break.
Alleviating stigma, supporting establishments focused on mental health and investing in proper research, paves way for a healthier population.
Bell Canada saw the potential of initiating an influential campaign on mental health resulting in the immense support returned to the country.
A better future and stability of PNG is resting in the hands of its people and through knowledge and awareness, this stability and future can be achieved.