ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) – Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says the ministry will be increasing the complement of psychiatric nursing aides in order to strengthen community mental health services.

Speaking at the Psychiatric Nursing Aides Conference at the Iberostar Hotel in Montego Bay yesterday, Tufton said the recommendation that was made by the recently appointed Task Force on Mental Health and Homelessness solidifies the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of the island’s psychiatric nursing aides.

“The history of psychiatric nursing aides in Jamaica starts in 1972, with only 22 trainees.  However, because of the growing need for mental health care, it was required to expand the care team to not only psychiatrists and registered nurses, but also to psychiatric nursing aides.  Today, the total number has increased to over 400,” he said.

Tufton said that in 2015, the ministry of health trained 72 psychiatric nursing aides and is committed to continuing the support, adding that one significant recommendation of the Task Force is that there should be an increase in the number of psychiatric nursing aides.

The minister pointed out that despite the valiant efforts of psychiatric nursing aides and their colleagues to reduce the stigma against mentally ill people, there is still a need for more personnel to be recruited to further reduce the residual poor treatment often meted out to the mentally ill across the island, many of whom suffer in silence.

 “It is estimated that some 70 per cent or more persons with mental illness will not disclose this information for fear of discrimination, especially at work.  This, undoubtedly, fuels the existing gap between illness and treatment and increases morbidity while decreasing productivity,” the minister said.

Tufton noted that depression and anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health challenges in the workplace, but they are often undiagnosed and untreated and can result in absenteeism and decreased productivity.

He said that a draft workplace mental health policy has been developed by the ministry of health, but while legislation, policies and guidelines are important, there are other things which need to be done to accomplish the necessary changes.