GLOBAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY FELLOWSHIP: MAY - NOVEMBER 2021

WHAT IS YOUR SPECIFIC AREA OF INTEREST IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY?

Group, peer, and anti-stigma advocacy.

WHY IS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY IMPORTANT TO YOU?

I have lived experiences with borderline personality disorder/emotionally unstable personality disorder, depression and anxiety. All of these experiences have shaped the person I am today and seeing the disparities, injustices and broken parts of the mental health system in my home country. I want to learn about advocacy as I know that it has the power to influence policy, provide support to those who need it, start global movements and create positive change.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

In Samoa, only those with specific privileges can access the mental health resources and support services as a consumer. If you are uneducated, low to middle income, and/or identify as gender-diverse, the accessibility is even harder because the socio-economic barriers, stigma, bias and discrimination work against you. Many young people are aware of their poor mental health however, without adequate support to access therapy, counselling, medication and qualified and readily available health professionals for a formal diagnosis, they remain in or develop a worsened state of mental and emotional distress.