Empowering Papua New Guinea’s Family Domestic Violence (FDV) Workers
Family and sexual violence (FSV) is a global challenge that affects communities worldwide. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), however, the prevalence of FSV is notably higher, with a 2008 study reporting that 44% of the population has experienced sexual violence.* PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape’s made an impassioned message to the Australian Parliament last year, and the Cairnmillar Institute (CMI) has taken action.
As I visit you today, I ask you: do not give up on Papua New Guinea. We have always bounced back from our low moments and we will continue to grow, learning from every low moment and every high moment.
-PNG’s Prime Minister James Marape’s Address to Parliament 2024**
With a shared history and deep-rooted bonds between our nations, and the generous support from the McKean Clarke Foundation, CMI is working to empower the people of Papua New Guinea with the tools they need to support their country and address pressing mental health challenges. We continue to run professional development and training workshops in Port Moresby and Lae for social and case workers from Femili PNG, a local NGO who help survivors of family and sexual violence access essential services. The participants have fully embraced the opportunity, shown eagerness to learn, and felt enriched by the knowledge and skills they acquired.
Since February 2023, CMI has collaborated with Femili PNG to enhance their understanding of mental health issues and improve the delivery of mental health services. Our primary objective is to ensure the overall well-being of PNG communities by offering free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) workshops and Introduction to Counselling workshops in Port Moresby and Lae. Across several visits and locations, we have now trained 35 case workers in counselling and MHFA. More than 20 have since completed the assessment to become Certified Mental Health First Aiders.
To ensure that the knowledge shared during these workshops is culturally sensitive and contextually relevant, CMI works closely with a committee consisting of selective Femili PNG case workers to review the training materials. This collaborative approach has ensured the inclusion of contextualised case studies, reflecting the realities faced by the attendees daily. Participants are also actively engaged in the training sessions, sharing their experiences and enriching the materials with valuable insights and reflections.
The course was informative and helpful. We always talk about Mental Health however we never really understand what it really means, and this course really helped me understand it and how best I can assist survivors of Mental illness.
The instructor as created an effective and conducive learning environment that allows us to interact with each other freely and share our opinions. The session was very interesting as he involves everyone in the room to participate.
-feedback from workshop participants.
Encouraged by the positive feedback from attendees, CMI will continue offering training to case workers from Femili PNG and starting this year, we will be including their referral network as well. We have identified the importance of adopting a systemic approach to supporting clients with mental health issues. In addition to training practitioners, we recognise the need to involve partners in the process to establish a strong support system for those in need. Our focus for this year includes an emphasis on clinical supervision, aimed at equipping senior management with the necessary skills to guide mental health case workers effectively.
CMI’s journey to empower Papua New Guinea’s mental health sector exemplifies the power of international collaboration in addressing global mental health challenges. By investing in the development of local communities and working together, we can pave the way for a brighter and more resilient future, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the people of Papua New Guinea.
*Lewis. I., Maruia, B. & Walker, S. (2008), “Violence against women in Papua New Guinea,” Journal of Family Studies, 14(3),183 – 197
**Parliament of Australia. (2024) Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Address to Parliament. https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/27588/&sid=0001
About The Cairnmillar Institute:
The Cairnmillar Institute (CMI) is a leading not-for-profit centre for psychological services, education, and research. Dedicated to promoting Better Mental Health™, CMI offers a range of high-quality psychology and counselling programmes that focus on evidence-based treatments and education. CMI is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals, families, and communities by providing innovative and accessible mental health care and education. To learn more about The Cairnmillar Institute’s work and how you can support our mission, visit the CMI website.
Click here for more information about Femili PNG and FemiliPNG Australia.