Headline: Fiji medical student turns pageant platform into push for mental health awareness and early childhood focus
A Fiji medical student turned pageant contestant is using her platform to broaden mental health awareness and understanding across communities. Peggy Ravusiro, who represents Miss Islands Accommodation and is one of seven contenders for the Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North 2025 crown, says her advocacy is deeply personal.
Ravusiro stressed the need to make mental health more visible, accessible, and better understood. “Before people end up in crisis rooms, these problems often begin at the family dinner table,” she said. She pointed to early childhood development as a key driver, noting that “the most impressionable years are between ages one and five. That’s when our choices and behaviours are shaped whether we fall into addiction, engage in risky behaviour, or form unhealthy beliefs about gender roles.” She also highlighted silent struggles among medical students, including burnout, depression, and imposter syndrome. “As a medical student, I’ve seen and felt it myself. One moment, I’m watching a patient pass away, and minutes later, I’m expected to move on and care for someone else,” Ravusiro shared. She added that the pressure to remain strong often means medical professionals neglect their own mental health needs, stating, “We support each other, yes, but it’s not always enough. We’re trained to care for others, but no one really checks in on us.” She believes mental health is intertwined with broader social issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and gender inequality.
Context and broader picture
Ravusiro’s message comes as Fiji grapples with a rising emphasis on mental health across government and communities. Health and education leaders have underscored the importance of early intervention and stigma reduction, with calls for stronger mental health strategies within schools and more cross-sector collaboration to expand access to support services. Data referenced in public discussions show substantial levels of anxiety and depression in the population, reinforcing the push for comprehensive, accessible care.
Across Fiji’s festival and pageant landscape, young leaders are increasingly using their platforms to champion social issues, including mental health. For example, Grace Suvei, a 20-year-old contestant in a separate national festival, has voiced similar aims of raising awareness in communities with limited access to resources, highlighting the growing role of pageants as vehicles for health advocacy.
Looking ahead
Experts emphasize that improving mental health outcomes will require sustained investment, community engagement, and robust school-based programs that promote literacy, early intervention, and supportive environments. While resources remain a challenge, the momentum generated by young advocates like Ravusiro—alongside broader government and NGO efforts—offers a hopeful path toward reducing stigma, improving access to care, and supporting families and professionals alike.
Summary
A Fiji medical student competing in a national pageant is using her platform to push for visible, accessible mental health awareness and to highlight the roots of mental health issues in early childhood, including pressures faced by medical professionals. The move aligns with a broader national push toward school-based interventions, reduced stigma, and multi-sector collaboration to improve mental health support across communities.
Commentary and value add
– This story illustrates how youth and platform-based advocacy can drive public health conversations in Fiji.
– For coverage, consider following up with school counselors, healthcare workers, and family-focused programs to illustrate concrete interventions that align with Ravusiro’s points.
– A future piece could explore how pageant organizers and communities can partner with health authorities to create scalable mental health literacy programs, especially in rural areas.
– Positive takeaway: framing mental health as foundational to family and community well-being can foster more open dialogue and proactive help-seeking, building resilience for Fiji’s next generation.
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