Investing even less than 1% of the budget on mental health will have a positive impact – Dr. Chang

Investing even less than 1% of the budget on mental health will have a positive impact – Dr. Chang

By Rashika Kumar
Saturday 03/10/2020
Psychiatrist, Dr. Odille Chang (Right)

Psychiatrist, Dr. Odille Chang says mental health is deemed to be the next pandemic and investing even less than 1% of the National Budget in this field will have an impact on dealing with the issue.

While speaking to accountants during the Fiji Institute of Accountants Seminar on Managing Stress During COVID-19, Dr. Chang says that 1% will be for operational purposes so there is a need to invest and getting into the community and advocating on mental health issues.

She adds that everyone knows how important it is but there is a need to put money towards it to help people get better.

The Psychiatrist has also highlighted that mental health needs to be a priority for employees because people are spending most of their woken days at their workplace.

Dr. Chang says our mental health is what makes us function and if this is impacted then individuals will not be as productive.

She adds that she has noted increased cases of depression, anxiety and substance abuse during the period of lockdown.

She has also highlighted that the reduced price of alcohol has also had an impact and they are seeing an increase in consumption of alcohol because people are using alcohol to cope and manage their stress but this is not an appropriate way.

Dr. Chang says alcohol consumption and even other substances do relax the person in the short term but it causes other social, physical and mental health problems.

Dr. Chang adds that there is a need to have a study on the impact of COVID-19 on stress levels and the economy which will guide policy-makers on where the funds and investments must go.

FEATURE NEWS
Parents pushing children to go out and sell drugs – Father Sigarara
A qualified psychologist has raised concerns on how our society, that professes to be Christian, have become so cold that even parents and adults are ...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Residents from Lami to Nausori likely to face water cuts due to water turbidity
Thousands of residents living in areas between Lami to Nausori are likely to face water cuts due to a steady increase in raw water turbidity levels ...
24 minutes ago

18 people undergoing treatment after bus collides with 4x4 vehicle in Lautoka
18 people are currently being treated at the Lautoka Hospital after a Goundar Shipping bus collided with a 4x4 vehicle this afternoon. Police have ...
54 minutes ago

Barriers to digital finance leave vulnerable Fijians struggling
Vulnerable groups across Fiji—including elderly villagers, low-income families and rural communities face significant obstacles in accessing ...
1 hour ago

Education Ministry investigates alleged grant misuse and workplace harassment at Ba school
The Ministry of Education is investigating allegations of misuse of the Free Education Grant and workplace harassment at a primary school in Ba, ...
1 hour ago

Bureau of Stats completes Employment and Unemployment Survey, report expected mid 2025
The Fiji Bureau of Statistics has completed its Employment and Unemployment Survey last month, wrapping up a data collection activity that took a ...
1 hour ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
5 days ago

Continuous Radiology and Pharmacy services are now expected at Government Hospitals
Serious concerns are being raised by the public as the Ministry of Health has decided that radiology services and pharmacies at Government hospitals ...
5 days ago

Ratu Wiliame Katonivere declines Presidential nomination after an internal audit and investigation report
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere decided to decline Rabuka's nomination of him to serve a second term ...
6 days ago

TOP