Goshen Trust Mental Health Services has been urged to write a proposal and submit it if they want the Government to consider giving them ore funding to expand their services.

Speaking after doing a tour of the non-profit organisation’s premises in Moamoa on Tuesday morning, Minister for Health Valasi Tafito Selesele said funding has already been allocated under the 2022-2023 Budget for non-government organisations, which he indicated also included Goshen Trust.

However, he said if the non-profit organisation wanted more funding to support and expand the services they are providing then they have to submit a proposal to the Government.

Valasi then added that priority should be given to building new and better facilities, in the hope that they can provide better results, in terms of improvements in the condition of their patients.

It is understood the Minister for Health was invited to tour the premises of the non-profit organisation, in order to see for himself what needs to be done to improve the facilities at Moamoa for patients as well as staff salaries.

The Goshen Trust Mental Health Services C.E.O. Naomi Eshraghi accompanied Valasi during his tour of the Moamoa facility.

Speaking to the media after his tour, the Health Minister said an expansion of the facility will mean housing more patients, including people with mental health issues who are often seen around town.

"We can take them off the streets and bring them into these facilities,” Valasi said. 

The Health Minister also spoke about the importance of raising awareness on mental health issues in Samoa and the need for those who suffer from the disorder to be taken to the non-profit organisation. 

Goshen Trust Mental Health Services was established in Samoa in 2009 with the objective to provide support and care to people who suffer from mental health disorders.

In the 2022-2023 Budget that is currently before the parliament, a total of $500,000 has been allocated under the Ministry of Health’s budgetary appropriation for non-government organisations that are active in offering health services. They include Samoa Red Cross, Samoa Cancer Society, METI, Agape Clinic, Samoa Family Health Association and Goshen Trust Mental Health Services.