A police inspector is convinced that the country needs to place greater focus on addressing mental health in order to effectively counter some of the social ills affecting citizens.

Inspector Nickoyan Brown made the recommendation in an interview with the Jamaica Observer shortly after returning from Portugal where he made a presentation on mental health at the World Youth Forum held December 20 to 23, 2024.

“I have encountered a lot of people throughout my career and I realise that something is seriously wrong with our mental health. People are walking around, they look nice and everything, but just by talking to them you realise there are some mental health issues. Even with crime; crime just doesn’t happen like that, it stems from somewhere,” he told the
Observer.

Brown said that many presenters at the forum, which attracted young people between the ages of 18 and 45 from more than 100 countries, spoke on the impact of climate change. However, he believes that mental health is a much bigger issue.

“There are a number of persons I interact with through a mentorship programme… I realise that something is really wrong with their mental health. As Jamaicans, as Caribbean citizens, we don’t take the mental health aspect seriously,” he argued.

“Once someone starts to act a particular way we say they are mad. It doesn’t have to mean they are mad, it could mean that they are struggling in some way. Financial stress can cause it, as well as peer pressure and social media. There are a number of factors that can contribute,” he pointed out.

He said that in his presentation to the forum he explored some of the direct and indirect causes of mental illness.

“The key points were social factors, which includes social media, family background, and financial problems. Those are the main factors I looked at and how we can address them,” he shared.

“By being at the conference I saw opportunities for us to tackle the problem through networking, helping to create policies, and encouraging a global promotion of mental health awareness campaign, seminars and workshops. We don’t have enough of that. What I realise in Jamaica is that we only focus on mental health when there is World Mental Health Day, but it is a growing issue that we have to address every single day,” he said.

Brown spoke out against the stigmatisation that people suspected of having mental challenges face and pinpointed that as a reason many don’t seek professional help.

“Within the police force, people suffer from mental health issues for myriad reasons. There is a branch that deals with mental health issues where they can go in and speak to a psychiatrist, a doctor, or somebody, but I think because of the stigma behind mental health people don’t speak out. This is not just within the police force, this is in general. We look at mental health as a sickness,” he said.

“When somebody sees that you go to a psychiatrist, they say you are mad. The force is somewhat addressing that issue once it comes to the forefront. I know a number of persons who have gone to the Medical Services Branch and have been seeking help. The force has something in place to deal with this issue but I am not sure that a lot of persons who are suffering are coming forward because of stigma, but there are mechanisms in place to address it within the force,” Brown highlighted.

At the December forum Brown highlighted that young people face immense pressure from academics, social media, or the expectations placed on them by society which often makes them feel as if they are navigating a minefield of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.

“Recent studies show that a staggering number of young people experience mental health challenges, yet many feel isolated and stigmatised. We need to change that narrative. It’s essential to create an environment where discussing mental health is as normal as talking about physical health,” Brown told the forum, adding that biological factors like genetics, as well as chemical imbalances in the brain that affect mood and behaviour contribute to mental health difficulties.

“There are environmental factors such as trauma from abuse, neglect or violence and socio-economic status, poverty, and lack of access to resources which increase stress and anxiety, as well as social factors such as toxic relationships that affect mental well-being,” he said in his presentation.

According to Brown, social isolation, poor nutrition and lack of regular exercise can also cause mental health problems.

He pointed to research data showing percentages of people in a number of countries affected by mental health issues, saying they highlight the global nature of the problem and the importance of addressing it through education, awareness, and accessible resources.

“One way we can address this is through open dialogues in our schools and communities. We should advocate for mental health education in our curriculums, ensuring that everyone learns about the importance of mental well-being and how to seek help. We can also foster peer support networks, where we can talk openly about our struggles and support one another,” he told the forum.

“Moreover, we must leverage technology positively. While social media can sometimes make us feel inadequacy, it can also be a platform for awareness and connection. Let’s use it to share our stories, promote mental health resources, and inspire one another to seek help when needed. I urge all of us — young people, educators, and policymakers — to work together to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Let’s create a culture where it’s okay to not be okay, where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength,” Brown said.