Psychologist urges overwhelmed Bajans to take mental health breaks

Barbados TODAY. “I think some of these stores, too, must realise that they have a duty of care to their customers. They need to understand the economic situation that the country is in and they need to be able to give some let and to give Barbadians and their customers that breathing space in order to make wrong things right, even if you work out a payment plan for these persons to bring down [debt]. But persons have to be assertive enough to say that they are being affected,” he asserted. The psychologist further urged people to seek help when they feel overwhelmed. “I always say to people who are having suicide ideations or suicidal thoughts or situations that are unmanageable, not to try to deal with the problems on their own but to reach out for help; talk to someone. Whether it is an elder in the community if you trust that person, a pastor, a certified counsellor, or psychologist you need to reach out to someone that you have an unmanageable situation and that you need help,” he advised. Earlier this week, spokesperson for the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Matthew Thorne called on the Government to prioritise the promotion of state-funded spaces where individuals in crisis can seek help. (MR)]]>