Cooled by the afternoon rain last Friday, we gathered for the National Day of Spain celebration hosted by Spain’s Ambassador to Jamaica Diego Bermejo Romero de Terreros and his wife Julia de Bermejo.

This is the final of the ambassador’s four-year tour of duty here, marked by his extensive engagement in the countries of his representation: Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Dominica, and St Kitts and Nevis.

The ambassador spoke on the shared principles of our two countries: “democracy, rule of law, multilateralism, and a very big no to war”. He expressed his admiration for our people, “All that I say would not have been possible if we had not found in Jamaica a loving and welcoming people, friendly to foreigners, having an interest in my country, not only because of the successes of our male and female football teams but also in our culture, in our gastronomy”.

In commenting on Spain’s investment in Jamaica, he noted his country’s investment, “mainly in the tourism sector, which has grown exponentially by the expansion of several hotels and the recent entry of new ones”.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith detailed these investments: “Since the start of this year Spanish investments in the tourism sector have been to the tune of US$2 billion, which is expected to generate close to 20,000 new jobs. This is a significant investment not only in our economy but in human capital and is, therefore, doubly welcomed.”

The ambassador described the end of his almost-43-year professional career in diplomacy as “closing the circle”, harking back to his first assignment in an English-speaking country, Zimbabwe, “where we first heard the first beats of reggae music by both Bob Marley and Peter Tosh [played] in that African country to support their emerging democracy… These are the beats of music that I hope to follow us for many, many years.”

Spain’s contribution to Jamaica and the region were applauded by Minister Johnson Smith: “I must mention that through the Spanish Agency for International Development… Caricom nations affected by Hurricane Beryl were able to benefit from a €200,000 contribution for relief efforts… May I also commend the Government and the Kingdom of Spain on your support of development projects in Haiti and your keen interest in restoring its stability.”

She noted that there was expanded cooperation in agriculture and energy, and that Caricom-Spain relations had been active, “recently manifested in the fourth meeting of the Caricom-Spain joint commission convened in July”.

I join Minister Johnson-Smith in celebrating Julia de Bermejo for “her very warm, engaging, and sincere personality” as we were happy to embrace her as a CCRP member.

The friendship between Jamaica and Spain has been marked by warmth and respect. We thank Ambassador de Bermejo Romero de Terreros and his lovely Julia and hope they will enjoy many happy returns to Jamaica.

World Mental Health Day

We should welcome the increased focus on mental health, marked by World Mental Health Day last Thursday with the theme ‘It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace’.

We have learnt that one in eight people suffer from several types of mental issues. When there are no physical wounds, we are oblivious to the mental ones.

A PAHO report noted that the mentally ill suffer from human rights violations: “Many are excluded from family and community life and discriminated against.” Let us be observant and proactive, accessing counselling and psychiatric help for our loved ones who are experiencing mental illness.

I am again sharing an extract of Professor Kwame McKenzie’s address at the Medical Association of Jamaica Symposium in 2013. He said that a five-year study revealed that while having a close relative with schizophrenia was a contributing factor in contracting the illness, there are other significant risk factors which we need to heed:

• People who smoked 50 joints of cannabis before 18 have triple the risk

• Children who were separated from their parents for one year or more before the age of 15 had a similarly dramatic increased risk

• Being raised in a stressful environment

• Social adversity and bullying in childhood.

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities posted these positive affirmations for mental health in the workplace:

•I am enough

•I fill my mind with positive thoughts

•I love and accept myself

•I have so much to be grateful for

•I bring valuable skills and unique perspective to my team

•I create positive impact in my workplace everyday

•I trust my own judgement

•My thoughts and feelings are valid

•I am capable of overcoming challenges and achieving my goals

•I am constantly growing and improving my role.

Let us also address the mental health of our seniors. We are actually depriving ourselves and our children when we do not make regular visits, whether in person or online, to share milestones and achievements. The stories they tell strengthen family togetherness and keep children aware of family values.

For our family, we owe much to our parents, siblings, church, and school for a God-centred upbringing which reminds us that in the spirit of gratitude and sharing we are stronger.

World Homeless Day

Our CCRP board director and wearer of many hats, Patricia Reid-Waugh, reminded us that October 10 was also World Homeless Day after she attended activities to mark the day at the Marie Atkins Night Shelter in Kingston.

She noted that, “After the formalities, there was hair grooming, barbering, mani/pedi services rendered to many of the residents at the night shelter. HEART/NSTA Trust representatives were also on hand to register individuals wishing to get trained in a skill to get their lives back on track.”

The good-hearted Reid-Waugh said she would welcome volunteers to join her in outreach to the homeless. Please direct message (DM) her on
Facebook if you are interested.

We also hail the work of one of Jamaica’s living saints, Nurse Joy Crooks, founder of Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill (CUMI) in Montego Bay. She was able to treat street people and reunite them with their families.

Stella Maris postscript

Space did not permit me to mention all the ministries when I wrote about the 50th anniversary celebrations at the Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church. The ones which were omitted are the St Vincent de Paul Society, Bereavement Ministry, Bible study, Catholic Women’s League, Flower Ministry, Readers, Legion of Mary, female and male prison ministries, Adult Sunday school, Street People Ministry, Soup Kitchen, men’s and women’s fellowship groups, sacristans, prayer, praise and worship, RCIA-religious education, altar servers, Young Adults and Youth Alive.

Kudos to the generous congregants who serve in these ministries.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author, communications expert, and seniors advocate. Send comments to lowriechin@aim.com.

Kamina Johnson Smith (Photo: JIS)