Hi everyone, I am super excited to be joining Think Pacific in July for a virtual project where I'll be working with the Fijian Ministry of Health and grassroots organisations on a mental health project. 

As you may know, I'm a big advocate of mental health and am always talking about it (have you read my blog/listened to my podcast?) and the reason I love to talk about it so much now is because I've been there. I've had that experience of feeling alone, hopeless, feeling that no-one understands what you're going through and not knowing how it can get better. Before I knew what depression was I just wondered what was wrong with me. It's why stories are so powerful as they can offer hope that things will get better and they let us know we're not alone. It was learning about depression and hearing stories from others that helped me to understand that I wasn't alone and that I could get help. 

I'm pleased to say I'm in a good place now and passionate about having honest conversations about mental health, reducing stigma and supporting others. And so I'm so excited to have the opportunity to work on a mental health project in Fiji to help organisations who are doing the same things - raising awareness, reducing stigma and developing support services. The full details of the project will be shared in July but I know it's going to be amazing.

I'm fundraising towards the project cost and to support the work of Think Pacific in Fiji. At least 50% of raised funds will be going to support charitable initiatives in Fiji and ensures Think Pacific make a sustainable contribution to improving health, education and opportunity to local people under Fiji's National Development Plan.

I'm going to be hosting a virtual quiz as part of my fundraising. Those who know me well know I'm very competitive so when I was teaching I introduced and organised the Christmas quiz for students because I was too full on to be on a team. But it will be a fun quiz via zoom on Saturday 20th July, time TBC. It will be free to attend but it would be great if you would make a donation too. 

In the Fiji Islands, Think Pacific Foundation provides the funding, planning and logistical support to enable volunteer teams to achieve specific development goals in the poorest areas of Fiji as the core element of a well structured, challenging and adventurous expedition. Think Pacific fund short-term, medium-term and long-term government directives which are designed and monitored by local communities and the Fijian Ministry to provide long term social, economic and environmental benefits to local communities.