Help for North's mental health program

World Vision Lanka recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Health Ministry and the College of Psychiatrists to implement, a special project on mental health for the Northern Province funded by the Australian Government, through its aid agency, AusAID.

Australia will fund World Vision to assist the Health Ministry in the implementation of the community based components of the National Mental Health Policy in the Northern Province through the 'Reconciliation through integration of Mental Health in Northern Districts' (REMIND) project in Sri Lanka. The Australian Government will provide Rs 50 million over one-year. Australia's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Kathy Klugman said: "Mental Health concerns are dearly a pressing need in the north. We are happy to be part of this important initiative and to partner the Health Ministry and World Vision in support of the Government's mental health programs in the North."

The program will fund the deployment of 40 Community Support Officers and 10 mental health service centres over the next year.

The Health Ministry, Health Services (Northern Provincial Council), Medical Office of Mental Health and College of Psychiatrists will be key partners in the implementation of the project. "The project will incorporate best practices and lessons learnt from a similar initiative previously funded by World Vision in the Southern Province. It will assist the Government to expand mental health services in the North to respond to needs in the Province, Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr Palitha Mahipala said.