New recreational and occupational health facilities at Psychiatric Hospital

The Psychiatric Hospital is now better equipped to provide care for its clients.

Thanks to a partnership between the government and the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, the Black Rock, St Michael institution has spanking new Recreational Therapy and Occupational Therapy buildings.

During a reopening ceremony at the hospital, Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw said rehabilitation plays a pivotal role in mental health care by complementing medical interventions to assist people in restoring their life skills and regaining maximum self-sufficiency.

“These services provide a holistic approach to the management of mental illness that focuses on maximising an individual’s quality of life and promotes social inclusion. This is achieved through therapies directed at restoring and developing life skills that are essential in providing the support which individuals require in order to confidently function and successfully reintegrate into their communities through the delivery of rehabilitation services. Clients are provided with the skills to live independently and to make meaningful contributions to their families and to their communities while reinforcing their self-worth and their value,” she said.

“Rehabilitation in effect provides individuals with the opportunity to achieve optimal levels of functioning with the overall goal of alleviating psychiatric disability that limits their capacity to perform essential functions of daily life and work-related skills.

“In addition, rehabilitation enhances the client’s ability to function in their given roles at work, at school, at home and wherever they may be in terms of daily living to help them pursue healthy leisure activities. Delivering rehabilitation services in purpose-built facilities is essential to achieving these overall goals, particularly given the stigma which has been associated with mental health . . . ,” she added.

Therefore, Bradshaw said, it was crucial to have appropriately designed physical spaces to cater to the needs of the hospital’s 520 clients.

She said the two buildings were previously disused and had to be bulldozed, redesigned and constructed.

The project, which started about five years ago, was completed at a cost of around $3.9 million, with $2.1 million going towards the occupational therapy facility and $1.8 million to the therapeutic recreation facility.

During the ceremony, Chairman of the Maria Holder Memorial Trust Christopher Holder said mental health affects everyone even though it is shrouded in silence and stigma.

“We must recognise the significance of mental well-being. The mind, after all, is the epicentre of our thoughts, emotions and actions. Too often social stigma surrounds mental health, perpetuating myths and misconceptions. Barbados is no exception.

“In fact, due to the size of the island, it is often more difficult to access care privately, leaving many persons reluctant to seek help due to the fear of judgement,” he said.

Holder stressed that mental health conditions are “not a sign of weakness”.

“They are medical conditions, deserving of compassion and proper care. Just as we would not stigmatise someone for having diabetes or heart disease, we should extend the same understanding to those grappling with mental health challenges,” he said.
(SZB)