Supported by the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the team have been working closely with the local VANMAT and Mind Care (mental health) team over the last two weeks to assist with clinics at Port Vila Hospital and in several villages.
PACMAT Team Lead, Craig Sionetuato, highlighted some of the mental health issues that have been presented to the team.
"We've seen people come in who are anxious, stressed, have low moods, but our team have stepped in alongside the local team to provide that wrap-around support and let people know that it's okay to feel like that, especially after a natural disaster."
The team have now supported over 327 individuals with mental health checks, with 179 individuals further supported with GP consultations. They have also delivered 4 group psycho-educations sessions, sharing tools and mechanisms that people can use to help alleviate some of the pressures and stress they have been experiencing after the cyclones.
The PACMAT team will continue to provide support in Vanuatu and are expected to complete the mission by the 26th April 2023.