Psychology student Denzil Bell volunteers in Sri Lanka
Psychology student Denzil Bell volunteers in Sri Lanka
27/09/2016
MSc Psychology student Denzil Bell gained valuable practical experience working as a mental health volunteer in Sri Lanka on a placement with SLV
Denzil Bell, student of MSc Psychology (Conversion), in Sri Lanka on placement with SLV
MSc Psychology (Conversion) student Denzil Bell spent his summer in Sri Lanka working with people with a wide range of mental health issues. The voluntary placement, organised by SLV, allowed Denzil to put the knowledge he has gained studying psychology at Middlesex into practice.
Denzil’s international placement involved planning and running therapeutic activity sessions for individuals living with mental health issues. Denzil had the opportunity to help at schools and social initiatives for children and adults with disabilities, as well as teaching English in the local community.
“I really enjoyed shadowing a psychiatrist as the Doctor was very good at asking us questions and encouraging us to explain different disorders,” Denzil Bell, MSc Psychology (Conversion) student
During the placement Denzil stayed with a Sri Lankan family, gaining unique insight into the local community and daily life in the country - an experience that pushed him to face new challenges.
“Overall, I think the best thing about the process was overcoming so many obstacles that you never thought you could previously,” says Denzil.
“I think the SLV experience is extremely useful for the practical experience it gives you. My favourite project was the football at a children’s home as I found this project was a good way to teach the boys about teamwork and how it can be used to achieve a goal.”
SLV is a graduate-led volunteering organisation, which runs psychology-focused placements in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Their placements allow students to develop knowledge of global mental health while working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Psychology student Denzil Bell volunteers in Sri Lanka
MSc Psychology (Conversion) student Denzil Bell spent his summer in Sri Lanka working with people with a wide range of mental health issues. The voluntary placement, organised by SLV, allowed Denzil to put the knowledge he has gained studying psychology at Middlesex into practice.
Denzil’s international placement involved planning and running therapeutic activity sessions for individuals living with mental health issues. Denzil had the opportunity to help at schools and social initiatives for children and adults with disabilities, as well as teaching English in the local community.
During the placement Denzil stayed with a Sri Lankan family, gaining unique insight into the local community and daily life in the country - an experience that pushed him to face new challenges.
“Overall, I think the best thing about the process was overcoming so many obstacles that you never thought you could previously,” says Denzil.
“I think the SLV experience is extremely useful for the practical experience it gives you. My favourite project was the football at a children’s home as I found this project was a good way to teach the boys about teamwork and how it can be used to achieve a goal.”
SLV is a graduate-led volunteering organisation, which runs psychology-focused placements in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Their placements allow students to develop knowledge of global mental health while working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Find out more about studying psychology at Middlesex.