MENTAL illness and wellness have again come up in the public discourse with several recent suicides and murder suicides. There appears to be a rising level of trepidation amongst the public about mental illness and a perceived inability to cope.

We feel deeply pained for the lives of those lost and their families. With issues of this nature, information is needed to curb the tide of negative outcomes and panic.

What are we looking out for in our lives and the lives of those we love that can tell us that outside help may be necessary? Where do we find this help when we need it?

SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS

Just as the external manifestations of the function of the heart are our audible heartbeat and pulse, symptoms of mental illness present in our thoughts, emotions, perceptions of the world, and behaviours. Being aware of changes in these areas can help us identify mental health difficulties.

THOUGHTS

Ideas that are not in keeping with reality, such as the excessive guilt, self-deprecation and desire for self-harm, or unsubstantiated thoughts of being under threat are signals to access mental health care.

Additionally, thought processes like being able to organise, sequence and plan are fundamental brain activities and continued deterioration in these should not be ignored.

EMOTIONS

Anger, fear, sadness, elation, and a plethora of other emotions are a part of the human experience. However, intense, inappropriately placed and persistent emotions should give rise to concern.

Be aware as well that extreme jealousy and irritability can also be part of a mental health problem.

PERCEPTION OF THE WORLD

We gain information about the world through our ability to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel, which are then processed deeper in the brain. If there are changes in how we are processing this information from outside, for example, hearing things or seeing things that are not there, this indicates professional help must be sought.

BEHAVIOURS

Our behaviours are a final output of this complex system.

Violence, aggression and suicidal attempts are usually the most obvious, but we cannot forget things like increases in social withdrawal, parting with many of one’s belongings, sleeplessness, argumentativeness or bizarre ways of doing things are also indications to seek advice from someone who knows how to deal with these changes.

CHANGE IN FUNCTION

In psychiatry, there must be a notable change in occupational or role function to say that someone is experiencing a mental illness. What often happens, however, is that subtle changes in function are ignored by friends, co-workers and family.

While everyone may have times where they do not function at their best, persistent changes in functioning, for example, not being able to perform at work or not occupying their family role as they used to, warrant further investigation.

WHERE TO GET HELP

Having said all of that, what do you do and where do you go if you or a loved one appears to be having mental ill health?

Crisis intervention line

The Kingston and St Andrew Community Mental Health Services has a crisis line for acute psychiatric emergencies where assistance is needed to get people to appropriate care. Individuals can call 930-1152 in Kingston, or 549-0362 in St Catherine. This service is free.

Community mental health services

All clinic facilities have mental health clinics, or can direct clients to the nearest mental health clinic in their area. These clinics provide psychiatric, psychological and social work interventions in mental health care and are free of cost.

The community mental health services also have members of staff integrated in the communities served who can offer help with and advice on accessing care. Visit or call the nearest clinic for details.

Hospitals

The major public hospitals have psychiatric care that can be accessed through the accident and emergency departments. Many of these hospitals also have attached mental health clinics and talk therapy services. The University Hospital of the West Indies also has specialised addiction inpatient and outpatient treatment services.

Government-based psychotherapy services

Apart from the hospitals and clinics, the Citizen Security and Justice Programme through the Ministry of National Security offers some talk therapy services to select at-risk youth.

Non-Governmental and Church-based Psychotherapy Services

Webster Memorial, Bethel Baptist and Swallowfield Chapel are a few of the churches who offer counselling services to the public. Family Life Ministries is a Christian organisation that offers psychotherapy services.

ChooseLife International is an organisation which focuses on preventing suicide by way of psychological, educational and social interventions.

RISE Life Management is a non-governmental organisation which provides outpatient addiction treatment.

Private psychiatrists and psychologists

Many psychiatrists and psychologists are in practice across the island and are listed in public directory services.

The Jamaica Psychological Association can be contacted via their website www.jampsych.com for a list of registered psychologists.

In these times, we must place importance on mental health matters to succeed as individuals and as a society.

Dr Danielle Nelson is a psychiatrist with the Community Mental Health Services and in private practice at the Edgewater Medical Centre in Bridgeport, St Catherine. She can be contacted at daniellenelsonmbbsdm@gmail.com