ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) is expanding psychosocial support services across Westmoreland, to assist residents affected by the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Health Promotion and Education Officer for Westmoreland, Gerald Miller, said the initiative forms part of a wider response being implemented in parishes impacted by the hurricane, with a focus on providing emotional and mental health support to affected communities.

He informed that the sessions are being facilitated by trained professionals and are designed to give residents a safe space to discuss emotional challenges arising from the hurricane’s impact.

Miller noted that the support also extends to individuals who may require further mental health assistance.

“If they have other issues that they would need support on as it relates to their mental health, then the experts there would be able to provide that support,” he added.

Miller informed that services are being offered at multiple locations across the parish on Saturdays and Sundays between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, allowing residents in various communities to access counselling closer to where they live.

“For persons who are living in the Petersfield area, you can go to the Petersfield Primary School between the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm,” Miller said, noting that sessions at that location began the previous weekend.

He further indicated that residents in the Whitehouse community can access similar services at the Whitehouse Field Clinic during the same hours.

Miller said additional sites have been activated in Beeston Spring, Darliston and Dundee to ensure wide coverage across the parish.

“In the Beeston Spring area, you can go to the Salem Primary between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm… and for the Darliston area, you can get your support there from the Darliston Field Clinic,” he said.

He also noted that residents in the Berkshire area can access services at Dundee Primary School.

Emphasising the importance of seeking help during the recovery period, Miller encouraged residents to make use of the services being offered.

“We are asking persons who are in need of psychosocial support to go out and meet with the persons who are assigned to these sites to provide the necessary counselling for you,” he said.

He underscored that professional guidance can help residents cope more effectively, during what he described as a challenging time.

“So, we want everybody to go out and meet these experts… go get some professional counselling on how to cope in this challenging time,”  Miller added.

— JIS