KINGSTON, Jamaica – Persons experiencing stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges now have another avenue to access support within their communities through the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Problem Management Plus (PM+).

The programme engages faith-based and community leaders to assist people to cope with distress resulting from the death of family/friends, financial loss, experience with violence, natural disasters, among other adversities.

Delivering the keynote address at the launch on Tuesday at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston, portfolio Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, said that in recent years, the nation has been forced to focus on mental health due to COVID-19 and other challenges.

He reported that the country has seen a rise in suicide from 34 in 2021 to 64 in 2022, including 14 suspected cases since January.

The Ministry’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Helpline, 888-NEW-LIFE (888-639-5433), has seen an increase in calls to 2,190 last year from 1,648 in 2021.

Dr Tufton said that PM+ trained community workers to help persons impaired by distress to develop coping skills to overcome everyday challenges.

Through the initiative, which is supported by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), mental health services will be offered at the community level by leaders attached to community and faith-based organisations who have been trained to provide such intervention.

PM+ will ensure that “there is someone in every community, congregation, group, community centre, church, at the lodge, and the community-based organisation, who you can reach to give you the kind of avenue to express your particular type of distress,” Minister Tufton noted.

Persons across the island have already been trained and the numbers will be boosted in the coming months.

Dr Tufton used the occasion of the launch to appeal for an end to the stigma associated with mental health issues.

He said there must be a coming together to manage the challenges and ensure that help can reach persons who need the support, with safe spaces provided where they can talk about their feelings.