BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Dr Cealdro Alependava from Gizo Hospital in the Western Province said that the Advanced Training on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Children and Families is relevant.

The 38-year-old, who collaborates closely with the mental health coordinator of the Western Province, has participated in the week-long training, which concludes today, Friday, 26 September, 2025.

In his capacity as a mental health counsellor, his responsibility is to assist patients and children impacted by mental health issues.

In an interview conducted yesterday, Dr Alependava said that the training is highly relevant, particularly considering the existing gaps in the specialised focus directed towards children and adults facing mental health challenges.

“We also learned that resilience is a crucial element of children’s development, particularly regarding how they cope with stress and trauma, as well as their self-perception.

“This is significant because, at present, we are not sufficiently attentive to the development of children from birth through youth,” he said.

Dr Alependava expressed that the training empowers them as counsellors to address this gap, which is critically important in terms of how they reflect on their roles.

“Often, we approach our work in our own manner, and it is equally vital for us as health professionals to provide the best mental health care to those in need.

“This workshop will certainly create a positive impact in the coming years if those of us who attended the training consider and implement the knowledge we have gained,” he said.

Dr Alependava mentioned that the training provided insights on how they can contribute to preventing substance abuse and gender-based violence within society.

“Therefore, if we begin focusing on a child’s mental health from an early age, we can certainly anticipate a brighter future,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Children who suffer severe trauma from situations such as rape, witnessing the death of a parent, or from other violent experiences go through a predictable healing process.

Dr Koen Sevenants, a consultant with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), highlights this during an advanced training on mental health and psychosocial support.

He said while only a few children may require formal counselling, it is crucial to distinguish between moderate and severe trauma to understand how children recover.

“In the first two weeks after a traumatic event, children tend to be either very active or passive,” he said.

He said that some may isolate themselves and show little energy, while others may appear restless.

To add on, Dr Sevenants said after this initial period, children typically enter a phase known as dissociation, which can last up to three months.

“Dissociation is a natural form of self-protection. It allows children to separate their emotions from what they know has happened. It’s a way of escaping pain. They know what happened, but they don’t feel anything,” Dr Sevenants said.

He stated that as children slowly come out of dissociation, they begin to reconnect with painful emotions that can trigger panic attacks, aggression, or other challenging behaviours.

“They may step in and out of dissociation repeatedly before they fully face their feelings,” he said, adding that new trauma or re-traumatisation can push a child back into dissociation.

Dr Sevenants stressed that it is during this time that parents, teachers and caregivers should provide safety and stability but avoid sudden surprises such as birthday parties or unplanned outings.

“If after six months a child shows no signs of emotional release, such as crying or expressing anger, professional counselling becomes necessary,” he said.

Dr Sevenants emphasised that what may appear as “bad behaviour” during recovery, including aggression, withdrawal, or substance use, is often part of the healing process rather than a sign of misbehaviour.

“Children only come out of dissociation when they feel safe. If the trauma is too deep, they may remain in dissociation and develop a disorder that makes functioning in society difficult. That’s when trained counsellors need to step in,” he said.

Dr Sevenants pointed out that in extreme cases, children may experience derealisation as in the sense of disassociating themselves from reality and feeling disconnected from people and surroundings.

“It’s not because children are bad, it is because they have been through trauma, and these behaviours are part of their journey toward recovery,” he said.

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BY BEN BILUA
GIZO

A market vendor at Gizo has come up with a brilliant idea to replace coffee mix and other products that people mix with tea.

Anderson Anika produces Ginger Tea powder at her home at Malakerava, Gizo, Western Province.

She explained that producing the tea is done manually using a grater, pot and firewood.

Anika said the ginger tea comes in small packs which she sells at the Gizo market for five dollars $5.00 per packet.

“It comes with different flavours depending on customers’ choice. This is a local product and I want to encourage people to give it a try,” she said.

According to scientific research, ginger is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, making the drink not only refreshing but also beneficial in strengthening the body’s defense system.

Known for its medicinal properties, ginger tea has long been valued in households as a natural remedy for flu, sore throats, digestive issues, and boosting immunity.  

With growing consumer interest in organic and locally made products, ginger tea production is now being recognized as a small but important industry.

Choosing ginger tea produced locally gives people a natural alternative to processed beverages while encouraging healthy living.

Beyond health benefits, ginger tea production is also creating new streams of income for rural farmers and small businesses.

By adding value to ginger root through processing and packaging, local producers are tapping into both domestic and potential export markets.

This in turn contributes to job creation, women’s economic empowerment, and supports agricultural sustainability.

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SINU launches campaign to promote civic responsibility, sustainability, environment action

BY NED GAGAHE

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has officially launched its “Green and Clean Campus Campaign”, marking a strong step forward in promoting sustainability, civic responsibility, and environmental action across its campuses.

The campaign was launched in line with World Clean-up Day on Friday, September 19, 2025, and signals SINU’s long-term commitment to making its learning environments cleaner, greener, and more sustainable.

Speaking during the launch ceremony, Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau said the campaign is more than just a clean-up exercise—it reflects the core values of the university.

“Today we not only join millions around the globe in a day of environmental action, but we also launch our very own SINU Green and Clean Campus Campaign. This campaign is a statement of our values and our leadership in sustainability and civic responsibility,” Aqorau said.

As part of the launch, SINU announced it will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Honiara City Council (HCC). The agreement will aim to improve campus waste management, support public health, and empower communities to take on active roles in environmental stewardship.

This partnership expects to support broader waste management strategies in Honiara while creating better systems within SINU’s own operations.

SINU also acknowledged the support of its partners, notably CMA CGM, a leading global shipping and logistics company.

The company’s presence at the event highlighted growing public-private collaboration on environmental initiatives.

CMA CGM General Manager Myat Thu Han congratulated SINU on the milestone and emphasized the importance of such campaigns.

“This event is about awareness, action, and partnership. CMA CGM is honored to support SINU and its community in taking meaningful steps toward safeguarding our environment,” Han said.

The company donated garbage bags and bins to support the campaign’s first clean-up efforts.

To symbolise the start of the new campaign, students, staff, and partners took part in a one-hour clean-up drive across SINU’s three main campuses—Kukum, Panatina, and Ranadi.

The clean-up was the first unified action under the new initiative and showcases the university community’s shared responsibility for maintaining clean and healthy environments.

SINU’s Green and Clean Campus Campaign will be guided by six core pillars in the coming months:

• Values-First Culture – Promoting respect, responsibility, and pride in the campus environment.
• Teach It, Model It, Live It – Embedding sustainability into the curriculum and everyday campus life.
• Systems and Habits – Enhancing waste infrastructure and introducing weekly Wednesday clean-ups.
• Student Leadership & Friendly Competition – Supporting student-led initiatives and inter-campus cleanliness contests.
• Partnership with HCC – Recycling & Beyond – Expanding recycling efforts and integrated waste management with HCC.
• Tracking Progress & “Keep SINU Clean” Pledge – Monitoring results through dashboards and a university-wide pledge system.

With strong leadership, dedicated students, and backing from both local and international partners, SINU aims to become a national model for sustainability and environmental responsibility.

The Green and Clean Campus Campaign is set to continue throughout the academic year, with more activities and progress updates expected in the months ahead.

Photos: SINU

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Mental health in the Solomon Islands has long been viewed through narrow lens, focusing mainly on conditions such as depression, suicide, dementia, and schizophrenia.

But experts say the reality goes much deeper, touching on everyday struggles that can impact a person’s ability to live a balanced life.

Dr Koen Sevenants, a consultant with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), said mental health challenges also include difficulties that may not always be recognized as clinical disorders.

“You can have emotional difficulties, maybe you don’t want to go to school or work anymore, isolate yourself and spend the whole day on TikTok or Facebook, or you cannot cope with losing someone you loved,” Dr Sevenants told provincial mental health coordinators during an Advance Training on Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Children and Families in Honiara.

He stressed that while these are mental health difficulties which one can learn to cope with, it can also deeply affect the quality of life.

Dr Sevenants said UNICEF’s focus is to equip provincial mental health coordinators with  skills to support young people and families facing these everyday challenges.

He said that the aim of the training is to build resilience so communities can help individuals navigate grief, stress, and emotional hardship.

“Most children can recover through the love and support of their families and communities if the right steps are taken,” he said.

He said that the steps include providing safety, patience, understanding, and allowing children to express their feelings at their own pace.

Dr Sevenants advised against forcing children to forgive abusers or reintroducing them to perpetrators.

“Forgiveness is something beautiful, but it can only happen if the child is ready for it. It cannot be imposed by the church, the school, or even the parents.

“For children needing more than family and community support, UNICEF is building a workforce of trained coordinator professionals to help young people articulate complicated or shame emotions,” he said.

Dr Sevenants highlighted that they have seen in this training that it is possible, and they are confident they will get there.

“We have seen in this training that it is possible, and we are confident we will get there. Most importantly, we hope parents and young people will take the step to seek out certified mental health coordinators because we know they will do no harm, and they can help,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Despite strict laws against sexual abuse, Solomon Islands continues to record alarmingly high cases of this, according to Dr. Koen Sevenants, a consultant for UNICEF’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Children and Families.

Speaking at an advanced training on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Children and Families for provincial mental health Coordinators in Honiara this week, Dr. Sevenants said awareness among children is crucial in reducing abuse.

The five days training, started on Monday 22 and concludes on Friday 26 this week and is being held at the ANZ UN Joint Presence office conference room in Honiara at Ranadi.

“We do have a functioning police force and parents who love their children. So how is abuse still possible? The answer lies in awareness. Children must know what sexual abuse is,” Dr Sevenants said.

He highlighted that most perpetrators are not strangers but people trusted by the family including relatives, teachers, or respected community members.

He said that children between the ages of 5 and 11 often fail to recognise abuse until later in adolescence.

To address this, Dr. Sevenants urges parents and educators to teach children about “good touch” and “bad touch” and to empower them to report inappropriate behavior.

“Even the most respected or decent-looking individuals can be perpetrators. There are no exceptions,” he warned.

He said that perpetrators can come from any background rich or poor, religious leaders, professionals, or even parents.

“Children need to be aware of what is acceptable and what is not. That knowledge is key to prevention,” he said.

He urges families to take responsibility in guiding children towards healthier understandings of sexuality.

“Families must talk openly about respectful relationships, love, and intimacy,” he said.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Parents must openly discuss sexuality with their children to protect them from harmful messages online, says Dr Koen Sevenants, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) consultant and Child Psychologist.

Speaking at an advanced training on Mental Health and Psychological Support (MHPSS) for Children and Families in Honiara this week, Sevenants warned that the internet and social media are now the main sources of sexual information for young people.

The training brings together provincial Mental Health Coordinator across Solomon Islands, commenced on Monday, September 22, 2025 and will end on Friday September 26, 2025.

“You know, every generation, the children have a sexual curiosity. At primary school for example, there was always somebody who brought at a certain moment a magazine and in that magazine, there were some nearly nude pictures. And children today still do that. They have a normal sexual curiosity, right? Now, where do they find information about the female or the male body today? Social media, internet. Internet is full of pornography, right?

“Today, they go online, where pornography is everywhere. Much of it is violent, disrespectful and gives boys and girls the wrong ideas about relationships,” he said.

He explained that while some schools try to introduce sex education, many parents refuse consent, fearing it will encourage sexual activity.

“What they don’t realize is that children will still look for answers online, where they may learn that violence and disrespect are normal in sexual relations,” he said.

Sevenants stressed that silence on the subject contributes to high levels of abuse.

“By not talking, boys for example may believe aggression is part of sex, while girls may feel they must accept it. That is basically what we teach them, by not being able to talk about sexuality with young people,” he said.

He encourages parents to start honest conversations with their children, even if it feels uncomfortable.

“It’s okay to admit it’s difficult. What matters is teaching respect, love, and safety. Talk about preventing sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancy. These lessons should come from parents, not the internet,” Sevenants said.

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