The Jamaican government In collaboration with the church, is taking an approach to offer an effective intervention that supports the mental health of Jamaicans.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during the ‘Heal the Family, Heal the Nation’ conference at the National Arena, in Kingston this week.
Holness said there is need to start a public education campaign not just from the government and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, but also from churches and other organizations and institutions to alter Jamaicans’ habit of not seeking help when they are in need.
“I am not calling anybody mad, because madness has a different connotation in Jamaica, but we all, everyone, including me, I’m certain sometimes the Leader of the Opposition… will have our challenges with mental health… stress [and] pressure in your own life. Sometimes you wake up and you’re just angry and you cannot tell why,” he said.
He noted that the collaboration with the church will be useful as pastors are well-trained to help with a variety of challenges.
In his New Year’s Day address to the nation, Holness advised Jamaicans to carefully monitor their mental health and to seek help if overwhelmed, depressed, or unable to cope with challenges.
Noting the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Holness said it has impacted the mental and physical health as well as social behaviors of people.
He encouraged that this year, Jamaicans should be gentler and kinder with each other, more forgiving and more loving, amid the increase in violence which has become a normalized response in Jamaicans’ interactions.
