AS many Jamaicans continue to grapple with the trauma brought on by Hurricane Melissa which slammed into the south-western section of the island on October 28, the National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) has appealed to the public to join its ‘Recovery Mission’ by providing voluntary psychosocial aid to families affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Chief executive officer of the NPSC Kaysia Kerr told guests at the launch of the recovery mission which, marked the start of Parent Month 2025 on Wednesday, that her team is trying to secure the mental health of adults and children who are having to cope in disheartening conditions.

Kerr explained that her team — a group of volunteers known as parent mentors, trained and tasked by the Ministry of Education to provide struggling parents with counselling and the opportunity to better care for their children — has pivoted in their roles, lending their expertise to those affected in western Jamaica.

“As we journeyed to Black River, [St Elizabeth], we saw it getting increasingly worse, but when we got there, the impact of what I saw will stay with me forever, or at least a very long time. As we walked, in the heat — the heat is different now as there are no trees, it as all brown — when we looked in the eyes of our family, our Jamaican family, we saw despair…we saw displacement,” said Kerr.

She shared that the agency’s initial visit was made to St Elizabeth last week, and a team is scheduled to return to the parish on Saturday.

“We’re going to be doing this until we feel as if we’ve made some kind of impact,” Kerr added.

She told the launch that she spoke with families in Black River, sympathised with their experiences, and provided them with aid, but despite her team’s best intentions, the support given was not enough.

“The word on the ground is that some people are out of touch. No matter what you see on social media, you need to feel it. You need to experience for a moment what your brothers and sisters are going through.

“I’m telling you, when people told me their stories, I really wanted to come up with a solution and to give them a good word of encouragement but I could not help feeling a sense of disillusionment when I returned to Kingston because there are some things they needed that we just did not have on the trip,” added Kerr.

The NPSC head said her team has seen a significant increase in volunteers, with 732 people now trained and ready to be deployed, and urged more Jamaicans to join the mission — providing relief through words of encouragement and offering an ear, to those who just need someone to listen.

“I am just a simple girl from Duncans, Trelawny, who the Lord has asked to lead this mission at this time, and I say to you, join me now, come with me, we have some work to do. This is our official Recovery Mission launch. We have a mission, we have lives to touch, and together I believe that we can overcome but we don’t have a lot of time. The time is now,” declared Kerr.

Parent Month 2025, being observed throughout November, will focus on a post-Hurricane Melissa recovery mission under the theme ‘Stronger Parenting Together’.

“The psychosocial support that is being offered cannot be understated. It is an important service. People want to talk and they want to know that people care. They just want an opportunity to tell you their stories, the trauma they have gone through and also for you to help them to goal set,” Kerr underscored.

For her part, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Dr Kasan Troupe urged parents to play an active role in the national recovery process.

“It may be a pat on the shoulder. It may just be your presence, it may be the welcoming of a family member in your own space. Whatever it is, think about what is happening to Jamaica and get involved. Let us build back stronger,” said Troupe.

To become a part of the team at NSPC, call or text the helpline number (876) 788-5606.

Assistant national safety coordinator in the Community Safety and Security Branch of Jamaica Constabulary Force Andrew Williams, greets little Andre Brown at the launch of the National Parenting Support Commission’s Recovery Mission Launch on Wednesday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Members of the Tivoli Gardens Dance Troupe perform during the National Parenting Support Commission’s Recovery Mission Launch on Wednesday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)