MONTEGO BAY, St James – Pleased with the $2-million netted by its recent fund-raising effort, “CUMI Fun Run 2009”, the Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill in St James is looking to take on another major project.

The money will bolster CUMI’s plans to raise some $10 million for its trust fund, the interest from which is used to finance the institution’s administrative expenses.

However, CUMI’s chairman,Pearnel Bell revealed at Monday’s annual general meeting that the next major fund-raising event would be in partnership with the Psychiatric Department at the Cornwall Regional Hospital to procure an ambulance.

CUMI’s administrator Nurse Joy Crooks said that St James was in dire need of an ambulance dedicated to serving the needs of the mentally ill in the parish. She said whenever there was an emergency it was very difficult to get an ambulance from the hospital.

It was reported that a utility vehicle assigned to the Psychiatric Department was out of service.

According to Crooks’ annual report, daily attendance at the rehabilitation centre stands at 18 – eleven males and seven females.

CUMI was able to place three rehabilitated clients in jobs, while some of its other clients are able to obtain periodic employment and get involved in voluntary services.

CUMI’s clients have an activity programme that includes self maintenance, understanding their illness, taking medication, and regular clinical attendance to achieve and maintain good mental health. Clients are also involved in skill-based activities such as craft, woodwork, gardening and caring for nursery plants.