Dear Editor,

I read with great fear and concern the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) researchers’ report that all Jamaican women ages 18 years and older suffer from some degree of depression. This research finding represents a looming mental health crisis if not corrected with some measure of immediacy.

As a mental health patient and advocate for over 20 years I am intimately and acutely aware of the debilitating effect depression as well as other mental illnesses can have on an individual, the family, the community, and society in general.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness needs to move with haste to get a hold on the driving force behind this high level of affliction among our women. I know that the pandemic has exacerbated the stress levels among all Jamaicans with the attendant social restrictions and economic hardships. However, it can be argued that the last 12 months have seen an improvement in social interactions and economic fortunes for most Jamaicans.

It would be very interesting to know what percentage of our female population are receiving treatment for depression. Certainly, from where I stand as a mental health patient and advocate, there is a noticeable increase in the number of individuals seeking treatment for mental health issues. However, the research findings of the NCU team have me very worried and alarmed.

The continuous surge in depression and other mental illnesses have far-reaching implications for the health sector as well as the country’s social and economic development. Women are the mainstay of the social fabric of the society as it relates to child rearing and the education of our children. It is therefore imperative that the Ministry of Health and Wellness urgently develops some evidence-based solutions towards this health crisis.

I am recommending that all high school girls, aged 16 years and older, be mandated to have counselling sessions with a trained counsellor at least once a year. The Ministry of Health can appeal to retired guidance counsellors for help and give them a stipend. Surely, many patriotic retired counsellors are still around.

The psychosocial resources of the church could also be tapped into. There are many psychologists and counsellors who are in the Church. Let us engage them. We should also make it a health policy that all pregnant and lactating mothers should undergo counselling every six months. This would help to reduce the likelihood of post-partum depression in women.

A national public education campaign centred on coping skills to deal with depression and other mental health issues can also be pursued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. We could also look at a national health policy that makes it mandatory for five to 10 minutes of psychosocial therapy through music and silence at work and school each day.

We tend to underestimate the power of music and the effect of noise on the mind. It is not beyond us to remedy this crisis, but we cannot allow the situation to get progressively worse. For the sake of our women and the health of our nation, let us urgently move towards corrective actions.

Let us remind ourselves and the nation that there is no good health without good mental health. A person whose mind is unwell will not be able to engage his physical body well. The word is always love!

Andre’ A O Wellington, JP

Mental health patient and advocate

andrewellington344@yahoo.com