Dili - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Probably some sense of isolation. - Aug 2021
It can be difficult dealing with the isolation of East Timor and feeling cut off from communicating with family and friends when the internet is down. I don't think there are many mental health workers available locally, so if you feel like you need to talk to a professional, you will need to consider finding someone who can talk to you via Skype or Facetime. The U.S. embassy has a regional psychologist visit post a couple of times a year from Jakarta, and she offers videoconference consultations. - Sep 2017
It can be tough living on an island and taking regular breaks is a necessity. - May 2017
Not really. We have sunshine year round. During dry season, the locals welcome the rain by running around during the rain showers in a good mood. Some expats feel very isolated given the distance, but my cure is just to get out of Dili into the hills -- the locals are welcoming and delightful. - Sep 2016
