By Andrew Mohanraj
The smallest republic in the world with a population of 11,000 people is looking forward to the events planned for World Mental Health Day. The proposed week long commemoration was suggested by no less than the President of the nation, HE President Lionel Aingimea. This occurred when Dr Andrew Mohanraj , Board Member of the WFMH (Asia Pacific) called upon the President to brief him about the organisation and its conventional role in deciding the theme of World Mental Health Day. The President then directed Dr. Mohanraj to work closely with the office of the Minister of Health and Minister of Education to include school children in the commemoration of World Mental Health Day. The planned events include a painting of a large mural by high school students to demonstrate their commitment to create mental health awareness in the country.
His Excellency, President Aingimea has also consented to have the green ribbon pinned on him and his cabinet on Oct 10th to signify his support for mental health initiatives. The Day is going to be referred to as “10.10 Nauru” on social media with WFMH educational package and pictures of activities and messages posted on the specially created page in the internet. A central event on that day involving school children and their teachers, civil servants and political leaders will take place in the main community hall at the town centre.
The President is also expected to launch the national level world mental health day commemoration in Nauru. Among the activities leading to WMH, will be the appearance of Dr Andrew Mohanraj in a radio talk show to discuss common mental health problems and how to deal with such challenges Nauru’s main telecommunication provider, DIgicel has also decided to support WMHD by committing to send out mental health related ‘phone blast’ text messages to all its customers for a full week leading to WMHD.