Maldives registers Dhivehi phrase for poetry therapy; MNU to be tasked with research

Maldives has registered “lhen faruvaa” as a Dhivehi pharase for “poetry therapy”, with the Heritage Ministry announcing that research into the new form of therapy will begin soon.

Heritage Minister Adam Naseer Ibrahim announced plans to begin poetry therapy for mental illness back in January, which addressing a Poetry Day function.

On Sunday, the Heritage Ministry announced that the Dhivehi Bahuge Academy has approved “lhen faruvaa” as a Dhivehi phrase for poetry therapy.

The meaning is defined as “mental relief through the creation, recitation and listening of poems related to the emotions and distress of patients. This is a medium used to treat mental illness since ancient times.”

The new phrase is now on the Dhivehi Bahuge Academy’s online dictionary.

The Heritage Ministry said it will sign an agreement with the Maldives National University (MNU) on Wednesday, to conduct academic research into poetry therapy.

The research will focus on how and to what extent Dhivehi poems can be used to treat various mental illnesses.

According to the ministry, the MNU will also conduct various academic research to promote the Dhivehi language.

The ministry had previously engaged in discussions with experts regarding rolling out poetry therapy, including officials from Society for Health Education (SHE), Mental Health Center, Child Development Center, and Dhamanaveshi.