Posted on 03 May 2022
The Pasifika Media Association states that mental health is a concern in Tonga since the country's struggle to recover from the January volcanic eruption has been made even more difficult by the current Covid-19 restrictions. People are starting to show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.
"They thought it was World War III" said Amanaki Misa, the Pasifika Medical Association team leader currently stationed in Tonga. "Mental well-being is something that is not freely talked about in Tonga because you're expected to be strong. Just pray and you're expected to be fine … you can be physically all right but mentally unwell. Stress does not discriminate, it affects everybody."