KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Health says it is committed to addressing the issue of mental illness as the sickness ranks among the most common non-communicable diseases in Jamaica according to the 2017 Mental Illness and Homelessness report.

In a statement today, the health ministry explained that too often this disease goes undiagnosed and untreated and each day the manifestations of the disease are seen through the abandonment of family members, homelessness, needless violence and suicide attempts.

Following are the steps that the ministry says it will undertake  to address the issue:

1.     Continuation of interventions by the  mental health teams in communities;

2.     Integration of mental health messages into the Jamaica Moves programme;

3.     Development and dissemination of educational messages through social media, print media and electronic media;

4.     Continuation of training of 30 community health aides in South East region, to be followed by North East region;

5.     Development of public/private partnerships with NGO’s that care for people living with mental illness in communities;

6.     Exploration of partnerships regarding building capacities to increase accommodation for homeless mentally ill people;

7.     Training of teachers, guidance counsellors and physical education coaches in the early detection and referral of mental disorders, particularly depression;

8.     Build resilience skills and mental health literacy in high school students;

9.     Embark on the implementation of an early stimulation programme which has been proven to reduce mental illness among other significant gains.

 Additionally, the ministry is urging the public; anyone suffering, or who knows someone suffering from depression or considering possible suicide to call the following numbers:

Ministry of Health Head Office :

a.     1-888-ONE-LOVE / 1-888-663-5683 – Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 4:30pm

b.    876-633-8255-9 – Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 4:30pm

Mental Health Team Emergency Numbers:

a.     North East Region : 876-972-2272

b.    Southern Region : 876-962-3370

c.     Western Region : 876-952-5100-9

d.    South East Region : 876-930-1152

e.     Bellevue Hospital : 876-928-1381-9

3.     Choose Life International ( NGO focused on suicide prevention):

a.     876-920-7924

b.    Director’s cell number : 876-869-3403