Ministry and Police Discuss Use of Poetry in Mental Health Support
The Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage is holding discussions with the Maldives Police Service. | Photo credit: Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage
The Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage has held discussions with the Maldives Police Service (MPS) on exploring poetry therapy in the treatment of victims.
The meeting took place yesterday between the Ministry and the Victim Support Department of the police. It was attended by Minister Adam Naseer Ibrahim, senior officials from the Ministry, Head Superintendent of Police Anwar Naeem, and relevant staff from the Victim Support Department.
According to police, the discussions focused on potential areas of cooperation between the two institutions, particularly in the field of psychiatry and in strengthening public engagement. One of the key topics explored was the use of poetry as a form of mental health treatment.
ދިވެހި ފުލުހުންގެ ޚިދުމަތުގެ ވިކްޓިމް ސަޕޯޓް ޑިޕާޓްމަންޓްގެ އިސްމަސްއޫލުވެރީން ވަޒީރު އާދަމް ނަޞީރު އިބްރާހީމާ ބައްދަލުކުރެއްވުން.https://t.co/hVAMtLWiNI#ދައުލަތުގެޓީމު pic.twitter.com/biwzWYGZYX— Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage (@MoDLCH) April 29, 2025
Police also noted that the Ministry pledged its support to the Victim Support Department, with both sides expressing willingness to collaborate in enhancing services provided to the public. The meeting forms part of an ongoing series of discussions initiated by the Victim Support Department aimed at building partnerships with various agencies.
Minister Adam Naseer had previously expressed interest in exploring the therapeutic potential of Dhivehi poetry. Speaking on Poets’ Day last year, he announced plans to study whether local poetry could be used as a form of psychological treatment.In May 2024, “Poetry Therapy” was formally given a Dhivehi name, Lhen Faruvaa, and research was commissioned through the Maldives National University (MNU). Under the agreement, the study will assess the effectiveness of Dhivehi poetry in treating different mental health conditions and identify suitable therapeutic methods.





