Cases of mental illness increase in Fiji

From TheFiji Times:

There has been an increase in cases of mental illness in the Central Division over the past nine years.

Health Ministry figures show a total of 300 cases were recorded in the provinces of Tailevu, Rewa and Naitasiri between 2000 and last year.

The figures were relayed to parents and students of Natoaika Primary Fijian School at their Drug Free/Stop Child Abuse Kindergarten Day in Naitasiri yesterday.

Community mental health spokeswoman Staff Nurse Kelera Kanacibicibi said there were various reasons behind the increase although the majority of the reported cases were drug-related.

Ms Kanacibicibi said that in the past six months, 118 cases were referred to the Nausori Health Centre for treatment.

She said the ages of the patients ranged from 19 years to the 20s, with the latest case being a 19-year-old girl who had a history of drug and substance abuse.

Ms Kanacibicibi said it was encouraging to see that victims of mental illness were voluntarily seeking medical advice.

Apart from mental state assessment and counselling, she had been visiting schools and villages through awareness programs.

Ms Kanabicibici said migration of people from Vanua Levu to Viti Levu was a contributing factor.