First Lady Fazna Ahmed has encouraged students in the Maldives to pursue a career in mental health.

She said this in during the closing ceremony of the "Peer Support Squad" training programme conducted by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Maldives National University (MNU).

Taking the podium at the event, FL Fazna urged Maldivian students to pursue careers in the field of mental health as there are avenues of career advancement in this field, adding that the number of Maldivians working in the mental health field is inconsistent to the number of available opportunities.

Shedding light on the need for psychologists in Maldives, FL Fazna noted that having local psychologists will assist in the eradication of the language barrier which will in turn allow mental health patients to speak directly with their doctors or therapists without the use of an interpreter.

With this being said, she urged psychology students to continue their studies beyond the bachelor's degree level and to get the necessary licenses to practice.

Highlighting that psychologists are not the only people who can help mental health patients, FL Fazna stressed that anyone working in healthcare can assist by being compassionate and caring towards those who seek help.

She also noted that providing mental health support should be a collective effort.

Stressing that there are situations where mental health patients do not have a suitable environment at home, the first lady stressed on the need for mental health specialists and went on to applaud the work of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Fazna expressed her hope for a more compassionate and caring society, during her speech.

The ceremony saw FL Fazna conferring certificates to Faculty of Health Sciences students who had completed the "Peer Support Squad" training.

The students who complete the "Peer Support Squad" training programme are trained to organize peer support meetings for the faculty students.

Open to all students in the faculty, these meetings are held to raise awareness about mental health issues.