Sera Osborne has dedicated years of her life to supporting her brother, who relies on a wheelchair for mobility. However, beneath her unwavering commitment lay a personal struggle with mental health issues, including mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts that she felt she had no one to share with. This changed dramatically after a pivotal encounter at the Spinal Injury Association, where she met Lela, a woman who opened up about her own experiences with disability. This conversation spurred Sera to seek help and join the Fiji Psychiatric Survivors Association (PSA).
Initially diagnosed at St. Giles Hospital, Sera became an active member of the PSA and within two years ascended to the board, eventually taking on a leadership role. Today, she serves as the voice of the organization, advocating for the rights of those with psychosocial disabilities. The PSA originated in 2004 as a support group in St. Giles, where individuals began to address the stigma and challenges they experienced after leaving the hospital, including isolation and lack of dignity.
Each month, the PSA holds a Talanoa session, a space for members to connect over tea and art, reinforcing community ties. During these gatherings, Sera has heard profound insights, such as the notion that the stigma surrounding mental health is often more debilitating than the diagnoses themselves. She emphasizes that psychosocial disabilities are often invisible, leading to misunderstandings and negative assumptions about individuals’ capabilities.
Despite Fiji’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and existing legislation, Sera highlights that many with psychosocial disabilities continue to face significant barriers. She points out a contradiction within the law: while the constitution disqualifies individuals deemed of ‘unsound mind’ from voting, the Disability Act includes mental illness in its definition of disability, allowing for voting rights. This inconsistency exacerbates the marginalization people with mental health challenges experience.
Sera and her team at the PSA tirelessly advocate for change, providing rights training to law enforcement and urging policy reforms to ensure individuals with psychosocial disabilities are respected and empowered. Daily, she receives calls from members seeking assistance—many struggling with employment stigma, housing issues, or needing companionship during medical visits.
The PSA’s influence is expanding, recognized by the Pacific Disability Forum as a leading organization in the region, and is now venturing into Solomon Islands and Kiribati to further support those facing similar challenges. For Sera, advocacy is about empowerment—not dictating lives, but offering vital information that enables individuals to make informed decisions about their paths forward.
Sera Osborne’s journey from a caretaker to a leading advocate exemplifies the profound impact of compassion and understanding, reflecting a growing movement towards inclusiveness and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their mental health challenges.