Fiji
Commonwealth Point of Light 6. Lionel Rogers
Lionel Rogers, representing Fiji, is the President of ‘Youth Champs for Mental Health’.
Lionel is known throughout the Pacific Region for facilitating hundreds of community sessions focusing on mental health and suicide prevention. He is one of the first responders to provide mental health support during times of crisis or natural disasters and has been involved in several emergency responses.
Lionel Rogers will be presented with his award by Melanie Hopkins, British High Commissioner in Fiji.
Lionel said:
“It is indeed a great privilege to be selected for the Commonwealth Point of Lights Award to represent Fiji. It is during our most difficult times and struggle that a ray of light shines through and gives us hope – for many this ray of light is a volunteer. The award is an incentive for more young people to volunteer into social movements and a motivation for volunteers already in the movement to continue saving lives. In receiving this award, we take youth mental health in Fiji to a new level and I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to Her Majesty The Queen, the British High Commission in Suva, the ‘Fiji National Volunteer Centre’ and ‘Youth Champs 4 Mental Health’ for this award.”
Melanie Hopkins, UK High Commissioner in Fiji, said:
“I am delighted that Lionel has been chosen as the Commonwealth Point of Light for Fiji. His dedication to mental health awareness, especially amongst the youth, is exceptional. He works across the Pacific coordinating approximately 60 youth leaders raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. He is truly an inspirational youth champ.
“Young people play a vital role in the Commonwealth. Across the Commonwealth, there are one billion young people spanning 52 countries. The British Government is looking forward to hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London in April 2018 and we want to hear from young people in the Pacific who can get involved through the Commonwealth Youth Forum. The Forum provides an opportunity to young people to have a voice and agree youth-lead initiatives that can help influence decision makers when they meet in London.”
Above: Lionel receiving his award from Melanie Hopkins, UK High Commissioner in Fiji