The mental wellness initiative and message recently taken to BB Coke High School in Junction, St Elizabeth, deserve our commendation.

Readers will recall that BB Coke High has been much in the news since late September when 14-year-old student Jaheim Colman was brutally beaten, allegedly by an older boy in Grade 11.

The alleged aggressor is now before the court on assault charges.

Reports at the time said the incident on the school campus was triggered when Jaheim stumbled into the older boy, stepping on his shoe in the process.

Jaheim was beaten so badly, he lost consciousness. As adults looked on — reportedly without attempting to help — the injured boy was taken on foot to a doctor 530 metres away by fellow students, who took turns carrying him.

The children who helped have since gained national acclaim.

Inevitably, that incident, like so many others, has triggered questions about the propensity for violence in this country and, indeed, mental health for young and old. Hence the visit to BB Coke by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and his mental wellness team as part of an ongoing nationwide drive allied to the much-acclaimed school’s Mental Health Literacy programme.

The latter initiative involves partnership between the health ministry and the Ministry of Education in training educators to help students — and presumably other members of the school community — address mental health issues.

Dr Tufton told his audience in Junction that, “The message is simple, we can resolve our differences without resorting to violence, to aggression and, indeed, from a mental wellness perspective, we are encouraging students here and across the country to find a safe space to solve their problems…”

Intriguingly, the minister presented the school with seating, a ‘Wellness Bench’, symbolic of a “safe space” to resolve challenges.

Said the minister, “Your safe space may be under a tree, at home, with an aunt, a mother, the school principal, guidance counsellor, or form teacher… The point is to have a safe space…”

That’s simple, sensible advice that can’t be overemphasised. We all have our problems, which, on occasions, may seem insurmountable. Yet, if we can fall back on that which makes us comfortable and at peace, they can often be resolved.

It’s not only about schools.

Acting principal at BB Coke Ms Liteasha Gallimore observed that, “Mental health and wellness are crucial aspects of our overall well-being, often overlooked or stigmatised… It is imperative that we open conversations or spaces to discuss these topics openly and without judgement…”

We are convinced that as the society grapples with violent crime at all levels — not least domestic violence — mental health should not be ignored.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Jacqueline Dillon, who heads the response team manning domestic violence intervention centres across the country, gave good advice at a recent forum in Manchester — the parish said to have the highest rate of domestic violence.

Said she, “…Once you have conflicts… come to the police. If you are not comfortable coming to the police, go to restorative justice, go… to victim support and get some help before it becomes deadly…”

In our view, that crucial drive could be even more effective if mental health is also placed front and centre.