HEALTH Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson says there are plans to open a mental health centre at the Bustamante Hospital for Children that will focus on adolescents and children.

He said this will be complemented by the training of guidance counsellors and teachers to recognise early signs of mental illness that may be exhibited by young persons in their care.

“Some of the issues that we have in our schools are rooted in the fact that many of our students unknowingly suffer from mental illness,” the minister noted.

In an interview with JIS News, the minister said that some of the antisocial behaviour of young persons may also be attributed to mental illness.

“Sometimes you say that this is an unruly child, not recognising that the person is going through deep, mental agony,” he said.

The minister, who was speaking with JIS News this week, said the matter has been extensively discussed with Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites, and Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna.

“We have been having discussions in recent times in relation to our young people and in every instance they have raised their concern about the antisocial behaviour displayed by this group. It has become very clear to me that there is a need to focus on the adolescent group,” Dr Ferguson said.

“Often, the antisocial behaviour that is displayed by some young persons is misunderstood by teachers and community leaders and it is seen in the context of youngsters who appear to be heading towards trouble. It is my strong view and that of my colleagues that what is needed is a strengthening of the mental health programme,” the minister said.

Dr Ferguson said that some of the causative factors for mental disorder among the youth may be attributed to poor parenting and introduction to inappropriate social behaviour at an early age.