There are many mental health disorders in the community and work is being done to find out the number and offer treatment, the Director of Health Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said today, in thanking donors who have supported the Psychiatric Unit at Tonga's Vaiola Hospital.

At a special event held at Vaiola Hospital, Dr 'Akau'ola awarded certificates of acknowledgement issued by the Tonga Mental Health and Disabilities Association (TMHDA) to thank donors for their financial assistance and support extended over the years to the patients at the psychiatric unit 

Dr Mapa Puloka Officer in Charge of the Psychiatric Unit said that mental health issues in any society worldwide were frequently neglected, isolated, discriminated, marginalised, ridiculed and stigmatised. “As I have seen with my own eyes in the last 25 years.”

Dr Puloka said denial of having any mental health problem by any human being is very common among us and it is always an obstacle for the promotion of mental health for the prevention and treatment and rehabilitation of mental disorders. 

There are currently 41 patients who are suffering from schizophrenia at the Vaiola Hospital Psychiatric Unit.

TMHDA Interim President Taniela Faletau said the association has six objectives, including advocating and lobbying for people with mental illness and recognising their needs, rights and welfare. He thanked contributors for their generous assistance for the worthwhile cause.

“Advocacy is most important today as we focus on mental health. I can't differentiate between mental health and disability because I believe if we do not take care of mental health it will end up as a physical disability, and if we do not take care of disability it will end up as mentally disabled,” said Dr 'Akau'ola.

He said the patients at the psychiatric unit now are just the tip of the iceberg but there are many more in the community and work is being done to find out the number.

The Director said Cabinet had also approved a Tonga National Policy on Disability Inclusive Development 2014-20 which incorporates both mental and physical disability.

Donors included the Australian High Commission who through their Direct Assistance Program Funds financed radio and TV programs to raise community awareness about mental health issues earlier this year. Others included Heilala Australia Charity Organisation, which donated boxes of clothing, lounge chairs, laptop computers, TV and stationeries; Fatai Pentescostal Church for providing patients with lunch every Sunday after church service; as well as Donna Thomas and Trivia Event, TWISC, White Sands Beach Resort, Lords Mobile, Magic Signs Tonga, TMHDA, Katalina Tohi and other individual donors.