Counseling in Fiji

Abstract

This article discusses the evolving role of mental health counseling in Fiji in the context of current social and cultural changes. Although counseling traditionally has been reserved for cultural elders and the clergy, the term counselor is being redefined, due to Western influences, to include persons who are formally educated and trained to provide mental health services. Contemporary issues such as changing gender roles, violence, and suicide are discussed as forces that are influencing the need for trained mental health counselors. This article discusses the current status of educating and credentialing counselors in Fiji and emphasizes counselor education that stresses methods suited to the cultural characteristics of persons in the region.

Experience from mental health clinics held during medical service camps in Fiji

“…The elders within the local communities, churches and families still remain the key decision makers around treatment direction and care arrangements. 11 Of interest too is the role of "black magic" and traditional "witch doctors", who continue to play an influential role when it comes to treating mental illness. 10 Some families still prefer to seek such consultations rather than medical advice.…”

Building a global psychological science through research in the Pacific Island nation of Fiji: a systematic review of the literature

“…In contrast to the literature on eating and health behaviours, the mental health literature from Fiji has been restricted to descriptive commentaries of mental health services, or studies specific to the issue of rising suicide rates in Fiji [37][38][39][40][41][42]. These used secondary data reports from hospital admissions and police data on recorded deaths to describe suicide trends across demographic variables to draw conclusions about risk and protective factors.…”

The Doctorate in Counselor Education

“…Within Kenya, Nigeria, India, Fiji and Vietnam for example, brief workshops, certificates of training and undergraduate degrees serve as the primary pedagogical models for educating and equipping persons to do the work of counseling (Aluede et al 2005;Auxier et al 2005;Carson et al 2009;Le 2009;Okech and Kimemia 2011;Raney and Cinarbas 2005). In most countries outside the U.S., there is an absence of uniform standards and accrediting bodies to provide oversight for education and training.…”