Christopher Tufton | Mental wellness is an issue for all of us

‘Don’t give up on yourself, you are more resilient than you think — asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of’.’ I came across this quote recently and it gave me pause as I considered the recent deaths of Jamaicans because of suicide.

Anyone can be affected by a mental illness. In 2021, the World Health Organization tells us, nearly one in every seven people globally were living with a mental disorder. Also in 2021, a reported 359 million people were living with anxiety disorder – among them 72 million children and adolescents.

It means, therefore, that mental health is not only everybody’s business but that it has to be. It is necessary that we show up for each other, taking the time to check in with family and other loved ones about their mental health. It is also vital that we get in the know about the available services that can be accessed, in and outside of the public health system, for persons in need of mental health support.

While the number of recorded suicides up to September this year (44) were less than the comparative period last year (53), according to data from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) – even one life lost to suicide is one too many. Further, with the exception of this year up to now, Jamaica has been seeing an increase in suicides since COVID-19, moving from 43 in 2020 to 67 in 2024, also according to JCF data.

The Ministry of Health Wellness’ Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline 888-NEW-LIFE (888-639-5433) also saw an increase in its call volume in September, with some 633 calls related to various mental health crises, including depression (48), emotional distress (40), concerns about illnesses (17), trauma and stress (15), as well as bipolar disorder (7). Sixty-one (61) of the calls received were from persons experiencing suicidal ideation.

The time is now for us to redouble our efforts to enable access to mental health services even as we work to improve those services. We must adopt an all-of-society approach, proactively and collaboratively addressing mental health challenges – a fact that has been brought sharply into focus over recent weeks.

The ministry is seeking to grow the number of psychiatric health staff, even as we upskill members of the non-psychiatric health team. Over a month ago, a group of some 47 non-psychiatric healthcare workers were provided training under the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), which exposes team members to the various manifestations of mental disorders, including depression. Another group of workers is to be trained in the coming months.

Also, the School Mental Health Literacy Programme will resume in schools in the new month. With guidance counsellors as the main facilitators, the programme offers students the chance to enhance their awareness about mental health conditions and coping strategies – toward stigma reduction and improved mental health seeking behaviours.

At the community level, we are continuing the deployment of Problem Management Plus providers to offer support services for persons experiencing mild emotional distress or who are faced with adverse challenges, including relationship issues, workplace issues, etc. We currently have some 45 active providers in the field.

We also continue to operate our public mental health clinics, of which there are more than 150 that cater to adults and more than 20 to children and adolescents islandwide. We also have the Child and Adolescent Wellness Centre in St James, opened earlier this year through the collaborative efforts of a variety of stakeholders, within and outside of the public sector, under the Citizen Security Plan.

That facility, located along Humber Avenue in the western city, provides essential mental health services, including family therapy, social work support and psychiatric services.

HELPLINES

In addition to the 888 NEW LIFE helpline, there is also the ministry’s U-Matter Chatline, operated by the National Council on Drug Abuse, which caters to persons 16 to 24 years old. To access that chatline, youth should text the word SUPPORT to 876-838-4897, or via Instagram and Facebook Messenger @ureportjamaica. Persons in need of mental health support associated with substance use can also call 876-564-HELP, that is, 876-564-4357.

We urge Jamaicans to utilise these services, even as we seek to do more, through a more coordinated societal approach involving community associations and while giving attention to workplace policy and curriculum development in schools.

We must also begin to teach and to encourage conflict resolution, problem solving, empathy, and to also look at how we manage society pressures in the context of social media, economic and social pressures and a value system under duress given how society has evolved, where we feel more pressure to perform to certain standards.

It’s a big job and we need all hands on deck; we can all take the time to identify what we can do and to do our share. With another National Mental Health Awareness Week of activities and another World Mental Health Day now behind us, the time is now to persist in those efforts.

Dr Christopher Tufton is minister of health and wellness and member of parliament for St Catherine West Central. Send feedback to cctufton@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com