The Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, Adam Naseer Ibrahim, stated today that a deputy minister has completed a study on seeking treatment through Dhivehi poetry.

Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office today, the Minister said that some of the study work has reached him, and that he is aware the general public and other parties are also working on this.

At last year’s Poets’ Day ceremony, the Minister had announced that a study would be conducted to examine whether mental health treatment could be provided through Dhivehi poetry. Accordingly, in May of last year, “Poetry Therapy” was given the Dhivehi name “Lhen Faruvaa” (Poetry Treatment), and the study work was assigned to the National University. This study includes identifying the extent of treatment that can be provided for various mental illnesses using Dhivehi poetry and the methods that can be employed in providing such treatment.

However, due to the lack of progress on this work, many people have been questioning whether this is something that can actually be accomplished. The Minister stated that the National University is currently conducting studies related to this matter. Previously, consultations were held with technical experts from the Mental Health Centre, Society for Health Education, Child Development Centre, and Damanaveshi regarding this matter.