The Health and Wellness Ministry is working with an expert from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to help Jamaicans who have been mentally affected by the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

“We have seen and anticipate that the mental trauma of the persons who have been victims of the storm will only get worse, and we need to be there to offer that kind of support,” Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said at a special news briefing on Hurricane Melissa recovery at Jamaica House in St Andrew on Thursday.

Tufton said that all field officers will be trained to discern, where necessary, the need for psychosocial support to those who have been traumatised.

“There is a plan to engage all our field officers, not just our psychiatrists and psychiatric support team, but all our field officers,” Tufton said, adding that there will be a base at each hospital.

He also encouraged individuals who are trained in this area to volunteer their services, saying, “We would be happy to incorporate them into this army of mental health practitioners or support team.”