Psychiatric Survivors Association

The Psychiatric Survivors Association is led by and exists for people with a mental illness. The PSA was formed in 2004 by a small group of people previously diagnosed with a mental illness. Since then it has focused on recruiting members, developing members’ skills, accessing funding and creating links with other mental health stakeholders in Fiji. It is registered under the Charitable trust Act for non – profit organisations. It currently has 150 members most of whom have been diagnosed and treated at the St Giles Psychiatric hospital in Suva.

PSA is an affiliate of the Fiji Disabled Peoples Association and the Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons.

Aims and Vision of PSA

PSA seeks to improve the lives of Psychiatric survivors in Fiji in the following ways.

• Home visits to ex – patients of St Giles hospital
• Organise workshops for members to help develop coping skills and increase understanding of mental illness.
• Develop literature for members and their families with information on overcoming mental illness and looking after someone with a mental illness.
• Organise workshop to help members develop income generating skills and or support members to get employment.
• Act as a support group by organizing social gathering to bring together members who have been diagnosed with mental illness.
• Assist members in securing housing or social security grants.
• Advocate strongly for the rights of people with mental illness and for government support to this often stigmatized and disenfranchised group of people.

Location

Psychiatric Survivors Association
Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons (FNCDP)
3 Brown Street
Suva

Postal Address

C/o Fiji Disabled Peoples Association
P.O.Box 15178
Suva

Phone: 3319043
Fax: 3301161
Email: fdpa@connect.com.fj

Activities

• Holding meetings for members once a month.
• Raising awareness in the community about mental illness and the role of PSA.