Rotuma Youth Festival tested by alarms over youth mental health and growing drug harm
At the Rotuma Youth Festival, Fiji’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru, sounded a stark warning about the pressures facing the nation’s young people. He cited troubling statistics that 57% of youth fatalities are intentional, with self-harm rates among the youth running as high as 70%. He named hanging, choking, and injuries tied to drug trafficking as leading causes of death and urged Rotuman youth to take the message seriously.
“I urge the youth of Rotuma this morning to take these issues seriously,” Saukuru told attendees as the festival continued today.
The minister’s remarks place a spotlight on what he described as a nationwide mental health crisis fueled by drug abuse. He urged greater awareness and action and said the country must invest in youth support systems, stronger mental health services, and deeper community engagement to shield Fiji’s next generation from self-harm and drug-related harm.
The issue is not limited to mental health and mortality. Saukuru also drew attention to a broader health emergency linked to drugs, noting that health facilities are under pressure. At St. Giles Psychiatric Hospital, case loads have surged, including alarming increases in young children and even primary school-age children who require urgent mental health care. He urged a clear stance: “Please say no to drugs. Your future is far too valuable to be stolen by addiction. Protect your health, your dreams, and your families.”
The Rotuma festival’s organizers are framing the event as more than a week of sport and cultural exchange. It is a platform to mobilize communities around prevention and early intervention. Saukuru’s call aligns with a nationwide push toward youth leadership and prevention programs, including government roadshows that connect young people with health, education, and employment services across ministries. The broader strategy emphasizes empowering youth through sport, education, and community projects.
Context from across Fiji shows a wider pattern: the drug crisis is linked to rising HIV concerns, increased youth mental health needs, and escalating social harms. Data and local programs indicate that prevention is most effective when it is multi-sectoral and youth-led. Initiatives like the Waisale Serevi International Rugby Academy have reached thousands of students and teachers with anti-drug messages, reinforcing the idea that positive alternatives can be powerful. In recent years, authorities have highlighted that drug-related incidents in schools continue to rise, underscoring the need for sustained, youth-friendly health services and robust family and community involvement.
What readers can know and how to help
– Families: Open dialogue about drugs, monitor influences, and reinforce positive activities at home.
– Communities: Support schools and youth programs, and participate in local initiatives that provide constructive outlets for young people.
– Youth: Get involved in sports, clubs, volunteering, and civic activities to build purpose and resilience.
– Elections: Encourage eligible youths to participate to influence policies affecting their communities.
Value-added context for publication
– Local voices have emphasized the importance of family engagement and community-driven prevention, including stronger parental time and support networks as early intervention.
– Editorial additions could include quotes from Rotuman youth or program officers, and a sidebar listing hotlines, clinics, and ministry contacts for immediate help.
– Follow-up reporting could profile successful community-led programs—such as village prevention models or sports-based outreach—to show tangible impact.
Brief summary
The Rotuma Youth Festival highlighted a growing crisis in Fiji’s youth, with strong warnings from Minister Jese Saukuru about intentional fatalities and self-harm, alongside concerns about drug abuse, mental health strain on facilities, and rising HIV risk linked to drug use. The festival’s momentum provides an opportunity to push multi-sector prevention, youth leadership, and expanded mental health services as a path toward a healthier, drug-free future for Fiji’s young people.
Hopeful angle
Despite grim statistics, there are clear, ongoing efforts—government roadshows, youth-led prevention programs, community engagement, and sports-based outreach—that offer practical pathways to reduce risk and empower young people. By sustaining these approaches and expanding access to mental health care and family support, Fiji can translate concern into lasting protection and opportunity for its youth. The Rotuma festival’s emphasis on unity and prevention lays a foundation for tangible, hopeful progress.
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