Breaking the silence – and inertia – on our mental health crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic may for many be so far in the rear view of the popular imagination and collective memory but we ignore its enduring legacy at our peril when our smartphones blow up with horrible images and sad messages of violence, grief and loss.

 

The issue at hand is not our physical recovery from the microbe itself but a silent epidemic that occasionally screams in violent, often fatal results: a mental health crisis made worse by a nation’s immature attitude to triggers, treatment and care. Indeed there has been growing awareness and some commendable efforts to address the issue – including the emergence of a mental health hotline – but by and large, attitudes towards mental health in our society remain woefully inadequate. The stigma, neglect, and underinvestment in mental health services are not just public health failures—they are moral failings that demand urgent action.

 

Since the onset of COVID-19 five years ago, the Ministry of Health has recorded a 100 per cent increase in individuals seeking mental health services, with young people disproportionately affected by anxiety, depression, and stress. There has also been an increase in Alzheimer’s and neurocognitive disease in older people, affecting over half of elderly persons by age 80, and up to 70 per cent by age 85. This surge of mental ill-health is not unique to our island but reflects a broader regional trend. Yet, despite these glaring numbers, mental health continues to be treated as an afterthought. It is often overshadowed by physical health concerns, even though the two are deeply interconnected.

 

Mental health issues do not discriminate; they affect individuals across all demographics. However, young people and vulnerable groups—such as those living in poverty or facing unemployment—bear the brunt of this crisis. The pandemic exacerbated these challenges, leaving many with lasting psychological scars. For some, the trauma of losing loved ones or livelihoods has been compounded by isolation and societal neglect.

 

Perhaps the most significant barrier to progress is cultural stigma. In Barbados, as in much of the Caribbean, mental illness is not merely misunderstood but dismissed outright. Many still view it as a moral and spiritual failing rather than a legitimate medical condition requiring care and compassion. This stigma discourages individuals from seeking help and perpetuates cycles of suffering.

 

For too long, we have allowed cultural taboos to dictate how we approach mental health. The result? A society where too many suffer in silence and where those who do seek help face judgment or inadequate support.

 

We suggest that beyond the headlines, and the viral videos of people ‘going berserk’ or taking their own lives or the lives of others in horribly graphic ways, are issues whose roots may lie in untreated mental illnesses, substance abuse, domestic violence, and crime. These issues strain our healthcare system, disrupt families, and undermine community cohesion. The Barbadian economy also suffers when poor mental health reduces productivity and increases absenteeism in the workplace.

 

Yet funding for mental health services remains insufficient. While initiatives such as the mental health hotline and the expansion of the child guidance clinic to three days a week are steps in the right direction, they fall short of addressing the scale of the problem. A comprehensive overhaul is needed—one that integrates mental health into primary care, strengthens community-based services, and invests in preventative measures; this policy shift can put the drive for mental wellness on par with the fight against non-communicable diseases.

 

Barbados cannot afford to treat mental health as an afterthought any longer. We must confront this crisis with the urgency it demands. Central to this is putting an end to stigma and discrimination. We urge a comprehensive public education campaign to challenge outdated attitudes, promote understanding in schools, workplaces, and religious institutions and foster supportive environments.

 

The administration simply has to allocate more resources to mental health care. The impetus for moving the national geriatric hospital may be the lucrative tourism value of its Bayville location. Meanwhile, the Psychiatric Hospital remains largely recognisable from its Victorian-era birth as the Mental Asylum in 1893. Barbados’ population is ageing but its entire population, young and old, deserve more trained professionals and expanded and modernised facilities.

 

Indeed, with young people disproportionately affected by post-pandemic stressors, targeted interventions are essential. Public policy must meet them where they are—whether through digital platforms or community-based programmes that are not geared towards tossing people off hospital rolls as the previous ‘community care’ policy did 30 years ago.

 

In an era of increasingly atavistic tribalism driven ironically by digital forces, initiatives that encourage community engagement—such as group activities or care packages for vulnerable populations—can help combat isolation and build resilience.

 

Mental health is not a luxury; it is a fundamental human right. As Dr Lisa Indar, the new head of the Caribbean Public Health Agency aptly stated during last month’s launch of CARPHA’s mental health conference to be held here in May: “People’s ability to live fulfilling lives often depends on their mental health.”

 

It’s past time for Barbadians to heed this truth.

 

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Please reach out to the national mental health hotline at 536-4500, where trained professionals are ready to provide confidential support 24/7. You are not alone.