Fiji woman murdered
Thu, October 09 2008
Jiko Luveni told Fijilive that approximately 62,000 adults will have some form of mental disorder, and 14,000 will suffer from severe mental illness.
According to the minister, only 6,000 receive treatment.
Luveni says a major cause for such a wide treatment gap is the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness and the St. Giles Hospital, the country’s only psychiatric facility.
She says the stigma can be so severe that it prevents those affected from seeking appropriate help.
The health ministry, together with the St Giles hospital and the Fiji Health Sector Improvement Program, have launched a Stop Stigma Against Mental Illness-Dare to Care campaign.
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