KINGSTON, Jamaica — Director of the Jamaica Mental Health Advocacy Network (JaMHAN) Carol Narcisse said that it is important for companies to provide mental health support to their staff and human resource.

Narcisse was speaking today at the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Monday Exchange where she said that no 21st century company that is serious about human resources should exist without a wellness service for staff.

“Companies should have a proper, well executed wellness plan and within that, provisions should be made for emotional support for staff, whether it is a counsellor on call or a counsellor on staff as part of the wellness support team and programme,” Narcisse argued.

She added that there are places in the world that provide staff for mental health where they plan workshops and social activities for staff because they understand that “we are not just machines and that it is important to talk to us about mental health and not just provide support for our physical health”.

World Mental Health day is acknowledged on October 10 and this year the US Embassy is staging a series of speaking engagements on the issue in partnership with JaMHAN.

Shanica Blair