Counselor Ana Radrekusa has urged a national push to raise public awareness, boost support, and coordinate action to tackle Fiji’s mental health challenges, warning that stigma and entrenched ways of thinking deter many people from seeking help. In a public statement, she described mental illness as a human reality that is affecting more Fijians, with young people bearing the brunt amid unemployment, economic uncertainty, and mounting social pressures. She cited concerns such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and suicide, noting that behind every statistic there is a personal story of struggle.
Radrekusa also highlighted the idea of emotional addiction, where individuals cling to familiar but harmful emotional states like anger, sadness, or self-pity. She argued that escaping such cycles requires robust support and community engagement. To drive change, she outlined practical steps: shift negative thinking, adopt new behaviors, and seek non-judgmental support. She called for leadership across government, communities, workplaces, and faith groups to strengthen mental health services, reduce stigma, and create safe spaces for victims of abuse. “The time for silence is over,” she stated, adding that “breaking free from emotional addiction and old habits is not only a personal journey; it is a national responsibility.”
This push comes as Fiji grapples with widespread concerns about mental health. Officials have long emphasized that awareness and early intervention are critical, noting that many people seek help only after issues have escalated. Data from recent studies underscore the scale of the challenge: substantial portions of the population report anxiety and depression, and youth increasingly face pressures from modern life and digital connectivity. Experts have pointed to resource constraints within the public sector and the need for proactive community engagement to help people access support earlier and more effectively.
Observers also stress the importance of school-based mental health strategies. With students facing stressors related to academic demands, social media, and personal development, schools are seen as a pivotal arena for early intervention, positive behavioral initiatives, and building supportive environments through programs that pair mental health literacy with extracurricular activities and sports.
Alongside these themes, public safety and health authorities have highlighted the ongoing burden of suicide and self-harm. Police and health officials have reported numbers that underscore a need for safer communities, stronger family and youth supports, and actions to address factors such as marital and family conflicts, relationship problems, stress, and health issues. Experts have consistently called for not just financial investment in facilities and services, but a transformation of societal attitudes toward mental health and help-seeking. They emphasize that creating welcoming environments, reducing stigma, and empowering communities to respond with compassion are essential to turning the tide.
Looking ahead, many stakeholders remain hopeful. With heightened awareness, renewed funding, and cross-sector collaboration, Fiji can build a more resilient mental health framework that catches issues earlier, supports vulnerable groups—especially young people—and reduces the incidence of crisis-level conditions. By fostering open dialogue, embracing non-judgmental care, and promoting healthier emotional coping strategies, there is potential for meaningful progress and brighter outcomes for Fiji’s families and communities.
Summary: A Fiji-wide push to normalize mental health care, expand supportive services, and reduce stigma, paired with early intervention in schools and communities, aims to curb rising anxiety, depression, and suicide risk, especially among youth, as authorities and communities unite to create safer, more compassionate environments.
Commentary: The emphasis on emotional addiction and the call for multisector cooperation align with broader global shifts toward holistic, community-centered mental health care. Investments that go beyond funding to include public education, stigma reduction, and culturally sensitive practices could yield durable improvements in well-being and resilience for Fiji’s next generation.
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