It’s World Mental Health Day
JAMAICA will today join hundreds of countries around the world in marking World Mental Health Day.
It is being observed under the theme “Building Awareness – Reducing Risk: Mental Illness and Suicide”.
During a proclamation yesterday at King’s House, Governor General Professor Kenneth Hall said mental disorders were associated with more than 90 per cent of all cases of suicide and that the stigma associated with illnesses and suicidal behaviour have worked against early intervention, keeping affected persons from seeking help.
Professor Hall, at the same time, encouraged Jamaicans to join in year-round efforts to encourage the implementation of strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention services.
He also called for the promotion of increased availability of and access to mental health and substance abuse diagnosis, intervention and treatment services.
Meanwhile, Dr Earl Wright, the director of mental health services in the Ministry of Health, noted that suicide and mental disorders were public health problems.
“Although the suicide rate is not as high in Jamaica as in many other countries, we need to pay attention to some of the risk factors for suicide such as major depressive disorders, schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders,” Dr Wright said.