During the 41st Head Teachers Conference in Nadi, Josua Naisele, the acting director of the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council, encouraged attendees to seek counseling. He emphasized the importance of not suppressing negative feelings such as sadness, frustration, or anger, and urged individuals to acknowledge and express these emotions.
Naisele highlighted that it is essential to validate and label one’s emotions, stating it is normal to feel sad or frustrated. He advised sharing one’s feelings with trusted friends, noting that many people tend to mask their negative emotions.
He stressed the need to change the perception of counseling, describing it as a valuable resource to assist individuals facing challenges. “Keeping emotions bottled up can lead to significant stress,” he warned. Naisele pointed out the rising rates of suicide, indicating that many individuals are struggling in silence and urged everyone to share their experiences.