Everybody at some stage in life endures some sort of emotional and mental trauma but some cannot cope and the stigmas of mental illnesses are considered a non issue until someone we love is affected.
With this in mind, the students of Lomary Secondary school are coming in to this week’s FM96 Tadra kahani with TFL and Fijivillage with a strong message that no one is immune from mental illnesses and we should think of those who are severely affected.
Liaison Teacher Petero Tuisiga said the students of Lomary believe it is time to put a stop to discrimination of people with mental illnesses as they can be our mothers, brothers, sisters or friends or teachers who are affected and they need our help and understanding.
And as Lomary puts in the final touches to their performance, Student rep Lasaro Saqanaceva said seeing the stigma endured by people in his own village also inspired him and his fellow students to bring to the forefront the issue which many go through in their daily lives.
Medical Superintendent of the Saint Giles Hospital, Dr Shish Narayan, who assisted the students of Lomary comprehend the impacts of the stigma of mental illness said more and more people are now being treated for mental illnesses and the Lomary's message must be embraced with an open mind.
Lomary Secondary will battle it out with 13 other secondary schools for top honors in the senior division finals on Thursday night.
Tadra Kahani kicks off tomorrow night with 10 schools taking part in the Junior Division Finals.
Tickets are being sold at the home of Fijivillage at 231 Waimanu Road, Village Six Cinemas Suva and Sugar Cane Growers Council Building in Lautoka.
Story by: Roneel Lal
