A deputy minister at the Ministry of Language and Culture has completed a study on the use of Maldivian poetry as a form of psychological treatment, Minister of Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer Ibrahim said on Saturday.
The minister had announced last year that the government would explore whether traditional Maldivian poetry could be used in therapeutic settings. In May, the term Lhen Faruvaa was formally adopted as the Dhivehi name for the concept.
Progress on the initiative has been slow, prompting public questions about whether such treatment is feasible. Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office, Naseer said a deputy minister had now completed a study on the subject, while the Maldives National University (MNU) is conducting its own research.
“I have received part of the research work. I have also been informed that some members of the public are carrying out similar studies. One person’s work has now reached me,” he said.
Under an agreement between the ministry and MNU, researchers are examining how Maldivian poems can be used to treat different mental health conditions and what methods would be most effective.
The ministry has also consulted professionals in the field, including experts from the Society for Health Education (SHE), the Mental Health Centre, the Child Development Centre and Dhamanaveshi.