Bradshaw, Browne say youth in particular face challenges

There has been an explosion of mental illnesses, reaching crisis levels, especially among young people, two ministers disclosed on Monday.

As they reopened the Recreational and Occupational Therapy Department buildings at the Psychiatric Hospital in Black Rock, Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw and Acting Minister of Health Dr Sonia Browne expressed deep concern about the state of mental health in Barbados.

They also said the stigma associated with mental illness posed a great challenge as many people were unwilling to share issues affecting their mental well-being.

Bradshaw said: “We do talk about the bread and butter issues in Cabinet because many of us are affected by constituents who are suffering with mental health issues as well. And we are very concerned about the challenges the society is facing and dealing with these issues. So in our discussions, we recognise that there’s been [an] increasing number of persons who have been seeking varying levels of intervention in some cases; we are also seeing the levels of suicide as well increasing among our younger population.”

Describing the situation as a crisis, Dr Browne, a physician, said the government, along with its social partners, had to address the matter swiftly.

“Mental health conditions are on the rise, affecting the well-being of individuals, families and communities across Barbados; we cannot ignore this crisis,” she said. “Hence, it is our moral responsibility to act swiftly and decisively and to leave no one behind, together. We must forge a path based on equity resilience and sustainability.”

Bradshaw disclosed that Barbados, with the help of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), has been revising its 1985 Mental Health Act to bring it in line with advances in the delivery of care, including rehabilitation services and mental health care provided in the community. She pointed out that the current legislation does not cover care provided by consultant psychiatrists practising at polyclinics, or by community mental health nurses who make home visits to newly discharged patients and at-risk individuals.

Bradshaw said the government had to deal with this matter urgently.

PAHO is collaborating with the ministry to develop a road map for mental health reform and a mental health strategic plan, she disclosed.

The acting prime minister added that plans were also being finalised for further strengthening and expanding community-based services through the development of action plans for suicide prevention, anti-stigma, maternal mental health, psychological first aid and workplace mental health wellness.

During the ceremony, Browne acknowledged that the Psychiatric Hospital had to step up its efforts in improving the quality of life of people with mental health disorders and mental health problems.

She said the hospital’s rehabilitative services would play a more important role in helping individuals recover and facilitating their return back into society through self-development skills.

Both ministers acknowledged that the hospital has been seeing some successes over the years and encouraged the workers to keep pressing on.

Dr Browne said: “The psychiatric team and the Mental Health Commission are breaking down barriers, dispelling myths and actively working together towards reducing the stigma associated with mental health challenges. As we open these new therapeutic units, let them be a symbol of our collective commitment to a future where mental health is an integral part of [one’s] overall well-being, a future where stigma is replaced by understanding and access to care as a universal right.”

Bradshaw agreed that the hospital’s programmes have been bearing fruit, especially among the youth.

“The occupational therapy department has been offering the interventions to this particularly vulnerable group,” she said. “There’s been measurable success in many ways in terms of allowing people to know that the facilities are here and that persons can access the required services. But there is still more work to be done as we try to break the stigma associated with mental health.

“Some of these young persons are being referred directly from the judicial system and they’re also benefiting from the services provided, particularly the anger management programme. It is anticipated that with the opening of the new facility, the numbers of children and adolescents receiving rehabilitation services will increase and that focus will also be placed on preventative services.”

Recalling how individuals who experienced mental health challenges were “shut away and forgotten during COVID-19, some stigmatised, denied their human rights and in many instances, abused and discriminated against”, Bradshaw said that the reopening of the two facilities at the hospital had put the government in “a more advantageous position to respond to and to meet the social and health needs of our most vulnerable populations”.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb