"Mental Health is not only for people with mental health conditions but for everyone," shared Stella Dermosoniadi, as she works to prepare for a trip to Tari, Hela Province. "It refers to mental health wellbeing and we must take care of it as it is precious!”

Stella, originally from Cyprus, an eastern Mediterranean island country, has been in Papua New Guinea since August 2022. She says PNG is a nation so unique and culturally rich and that the people deserve access to quality and free mental health and psychosocial support.

“There is no health without mental health, and our bodies and mind are interlinked. Although mental health is not tangible, we can experience its impact on our lives.”

Stella is a Clinical Psychologist with a bachelor's degree from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences Athens, Greece, two master’s degrees from Lyon Lumière, in France, and Université libre de Bruxelles, in Belgium. Stella has certificates on “Global mental health: refugee trauma and recovery”, from Harvard University, and Humanitarian Advocacy, from Fordham University.

“My favourite part about working as an MHPSS Consultant is providing training and developing community-based activities," said Stella. "Having more community-based activities will work as a great preventive measure and, at the same time, participants can develop their skills, create social networks, and reach their full potential. “

“Furthermore, I enjoy the advocacy part of the job; discussing with other sectors and stakeholders the importance of mental health and how it can be integrated into other services. I look forward to doing this in Hela Province soon." 

When she is not working, Stella is in the kitchen, cooking up a storm!

“I love cooking!", shared Stella. "It is like a ritual for me; searching for recipes or developing new ones, going into the market to find the right ingredients, experimenting in the kitchen and sharing the final dish with loved ones.”

Stella also likes researching travel destinations and reading.