Mental health to take the spotlight

by Shamar Blunt

The mental health state of all Barbadians will soon take centre stage for the Ministry
of Health and Wellness, as the government seeks to improve the lives of locals who have been for far too long, ignored in this particular area.

This promise came from Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic, as he gave brief remarks on Saturday, during an event to mark Caribbean Wellness Day at Sheraton centre.

According to Bostic, Barbadians for many years have greatly improved their general health and wellness in several ways. In the shadow of the current COVID 19 pandemic however, he added it had become clear that mental health issues are still sadly not taken seriously enough.

“Generally speaking, wellness issues and mental wellness issues are very important [topics] here in this country, in communities, in homes, in schools, in offices, in churches and all over the place. It is one of those areas [in which] we must have a national policy where we bring together all stakeholders, because all of us have a role to play in this, including parents,” Bostic explained.

In light of this shortcoming, the Minister officially revealed plans to shortly unveil an initiative from the Ministry to tackle mental health matters properly on the island.

“I will challenge all of you today to join with us in crafting a National Mental Health Policy for Barbados that is absolutely necessary. The wheels are in motion to have that going; that will be one of our major focuses going forward in terms of our wellness initiatives.

“The Mental Health Wellness program in the Ministry of Health and Wellness has to be at the top of the ladder,” he stressed.

Chief Executive Officer of Supreme Counselling, and member of the National Task Force on Wellness, Shawn Clarke, also spoke briefly to those gathered about the importance of managing stress in a positive way. It was his belief that locals often did not take the side effects of stress seriously, which often led to difficult situations. To mitigate such issues, coping mechanisms for stress should be practised, he said.

“You can do things to handle the stress that comes along with any new challenge, good or bad.

“Stress management skills therefore work best when they are practised ahead of time. Not just when the pressure is on. Knowing how to destress and calm yourself can help you get through challenging circumstances,” Clarke stated.

This event held over the weekend is one of several being planned by the National Task Force on Wellness, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, as the two groups seek to improve the lives of all Barbadians, especially targeting the rate
of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the island.