Hector Appuhamy, a Sri Lankan lawmaker, discussed with IPS ahead of a two-day conference aimed at engaging university students in mental health issues, shedding light on parliamentarians’ concerns regarding the gaps in programs and funding for youth mental health. They are actively seeking support beyond the country’s health budget to ensure that youth can access mental health services in a supportive setting.
IPS: Sri Lanka has one of the world’s highest suicide rates. While the revised mental health policy for 2020–2030 acknowledges the needs of adolescents and youth, it appears there are limited policies and programs specifically addressing youth mental health. How are parliamentarians tackling this issue?
Hector Appuhamy: Sri Lanka’s historically high suicide rates, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), are indeed alarming, with an estimated rate of 14.6 per 100,000 population in 2016. In addressing this concern, tailored mental health policies and programs for youth are pivotal in mitigating such challenges.
As parliamentarians, we recognize the urgency of addressing mental health issues among youth, including the risk of suicide.
While the mental health policy for 2020–2030 acknowledges the needs of young people, there’s a paucity of specific programs to assist them adequately. In response, parliamentarians are actively exploring various avenues to tackle this issue.
The recent statistics have prompted government officials and parliamentarians to scrutinize mental health services in Sri Lanka, particularly for young people. They’ve acknowledged the insufficient programs and resources available for youth mental health. Consequently, parliamentarians are conducting assessments to identify gaps and propose new policies and programs to support youth mental health.
Parliamentarians are collaborating with various stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, and mental health experts, to develop solutions. They’re striving to create programs tailored to the needs of young people. Through collective efforts, they aim to prioritize youth mental health and ensure they receive the necessary support.
The proposed initiatives aim not only to address current challenges but also to plan for the future. Parliamentarians aim to ensure sustained support for youth mental health in Sri Lanka, both now and in the years ahead.
IPS: Only a fraction of the national health expenditure, approximately 5%, is allocated to mental health. A significant shortcoming is the resource gap. How are parliamentarians working, including involving the private sector, to secure funds and programs for youth mental health?
Appuhamy: Addressing the resource gap in mental health services, particularly for youth, requires a comprehensive approach involving collaboration with the public and private sectors.
Various organizations, including APDA, UNDP, and UNICEF, consistently support Sri Lanka through diverse programs. Recognizing this imperative, we are initiating discussions to devise strategies to secure funding and garner support from these and other organizations. This initiative aims to attract attention and enlist support to bolster the resilience of our youth, given their proven track record of providing aid where it’s most needed.
Emphasizing the crucial role of mental health services for young people, we strive to ensure a significant allocation of the health budget towards mental health initiatives. Discussions are underway to implement the following initiatives:
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Facilitating partnerships between the government and private sector entities to support youth mental health programs. These partnerships may involve financial contributions, in-kind donations, or expertise sharing to enhance mental health services’ effectiveness and reach.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives: Collaborating with private sector companies to develop CSR initiatives focused on youth mental health. Through CSR programs, companies can allocate resources, including funding and employee volunteering, towards addressing mental health challenges among young people in their communities.
Incentives for Private Sector Investment: Proposing incentives, such as grants or subsidies, to encourage private sector investment in youth mental health programs. These incentives can stimulate private sector participation and innovation in mental health service delivery.
By fostering partnerships and incentivizing investment, parliamentarians aim to ensure sustainable support for youth mental health initiatives in Sri Lanka.
