GLOBAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY FELLOWSHIP: MAY - NOVEMBER 2021

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

Psychosocial support, capacity building, intersectionality, and policy.

WHY IS YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Support from mentors and peers would advance my grassroots advocacy to be more systematic and structured. These will prepare me to create sustainable changes or generate a ripple effect to empower other Lao youth leaders who want to improve the well-being of their communities but have limited access to resources and support.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

There is a limited holistic understanding of mental health in the Lao community. The negative connotation associated with mental illness makes people not reach out for help when needed. Additionally, the centralised mental health services result in inequitable access to basic mental health care across the country.