KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesperson on Gender, Disabilities and Inclusion, Denise Daley is calling for increased mental health services for the country’s men as a means of tackling the issue of crime and violence.

Daley made the call while making her contribution to the Sectoral Debates in the House of Parliament on Tuesday, noting that Jamaican men are increasingly suffering from anxiety, depression and other psychosocial issues.

“We need more mental health services and trained professionals to cater to the needs of our men and boys. We also need a mental health education awareness programme to be developed that specifically addresses the needs of men and boys,” Daley said.

“There should also be more programmes like the, Male Awareness Now, what they call MAN, and peer support groups, that provide support and promote awareness. Programmes like these will reduce stigma and promote better mental health,” Daley added.

She warned that if this is not addressed, “we will not be able to address crime and violence in this country in its entirety”.

Daley, who is the Member of Parliament for St Catherine Eastern, explained that cultural expectations, coupled with imported values gleaned from the internet and social media, had further exacerbated the social problems faced by males in the society.

By providing more mental health support, Daley opined that this could also be useful in reducing gender-based violence.