Relationship problems, seasonal work, neglect, and financial pressure are among the leading causes of mental stress faced by people in Vanuatu.

Last week, the Vanuatu Seveth Day Adventist (SDA) Mission hosted a five-day free health check-up program in Port Vila, which included mental health assessments, awareness, and counselling sessions conducted by mental health experts from the Mental Health Unit under the Ministry of Health.

While booths for physical health check-ups were crowded, not a single person stepped forward for mental health services, raising concern about stigma and lack of awareness around mental well-being.

Mental Health Coordinator for the program, Norika Watt, said stress and worry are constant challenges in communities, with many contributing factors.

One of them is relationship problems.

“If kids don’t listen to their parents, they walk around late and don’t come home, parents tend to worry. Also, relationship issues between boys and girls can lead to hurt feelings, and in some cases, even suicide,” she explained.

Another issue is seasonal work programs, which separate families.

“Seasonal work also contributes negatively to homes. It separates parents from children, and this absence has been linked to suicide cases in the community,” Watt said.

She also highlighted the problem of neglect and parents not recognizing their children’s needs.

“When children want something and parents ignore or don’t listen, this also contributes negatively to their mental well-being,” she added.

On top of this, financial struggles inside households create extra pressure, leaving many people vulnerable to stress-related conditions.

The Mental Health Program is a new unit under the Ministry of Health, aiming to support people with mental illness and provide counselling. Through partnership with different organizations and ongoing awareness across the country, the Ministry hopes more people will step forward for help, and that suicide linked to mental stress can be reduced.