In August, PMA’s programme team, led by Etu Pasifika Mental Health Lead, Dr. Staverton Kautoke, embarked on their first inception visit to Vanuatu. Working alongside Dr. Jimmy Obed – Vanuatu’s first and only psychiatrist, and the Head of Mental Health for the Vanuatu Ministry of Health – the team engaged with government agencies, service providers and communities to test their appetite for the proposed programme, and better understand their perspectives on Vanuatu’s mental health challenges, opportunities and priorities.
In Port Vila, senior health officials welcomed the Ngalu Fānifo program, affirming that it aligned well with the country’s national health priorities. They were encouraging of the programme’s focus on partnering with communities at the village level to grow mental health and wellbeing capacity. They also emphasised the importance of forging strong partnerships with churches and local nursing communities to ensure the initiative’s success.
Staff at one crisis center spoke to the growing need for specialised mental health training and awareness, especially in rural areas where support is minimal. They were optimistic about the potential for the Ngalu Fānifo initiative to create positive change – including helping them meet the increasing demands they currently struggle to manage. They also saw its potential to address mental health from prevention all the way to treatment, something desperately needed as demand for counselling and other mental health support continues to rise.
On the northern side of Efate island, where the first Ngalu Fānifo pilot is proposed to be implemented, community members, health professionals, and advocates highlighted a shared determination to improve mental health services, while acknowledging the ongoing strain on resources like workforce, expertise, and equipment. These conversations were powerfully insightful and allowed the team to develop a more nuanced understanding of Vanuatu’s complex mental health landscape.
Following the discussions, Dr Obed shared his hopes going forward.
"The community-based focus of this program - visiting our villages to gain practical and valuable insights about how they understand and experience mental health, and partnering with them in co-design – is unique here in Vanuatu. It's rare that those of us in Vila would have the chance to hear directly from frontline workers in rural areas about the challenges they face, for example. I believe this approach positions us well to make a meaningful, positive impact for our people.”
“From these discussions, it’s clear that we need to leverage this program to strengthen the existing mechanisms and resources addressing mental health. It’s also essential that Ni-Vanuatu cultural values remain central to the work."