Letter of the Day | Address the mental health crisis

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing to bring attention to the mental health crisis. It’s a reality that many of us see, feel, and experience daily. It’s everywhere, and yet so many of us remain silent, waiting for someone else to take action. The question isn’t ‘Who will address the mental health crisis?’ It’s ‘When will we all take responsibility for the mental well-being of our fellow Jamaicans?’

Time is running out for those who feel voiceless and unseen in their struggles. For too long, mental health has been treated as an afterthought. There are institutions which are overcrowded and underfunded. There are policies, but they are not fully implemented nor effective. And for every person who takes a step towards seeking help, there’s another who is too afraid or unsure of where to turn. Who will step up?

The Government has a pivotal role to play. There needs to be significant investments in mental health services, both in terms of infrastructure and human resources. With a population where one in four Jamaicans are reported to suffer from some form of mental illness, we need to treat this as an urgent public health issue, not just a social concern. But government efforts alone won’t solve this crisis; all sectors of society have to come together in solidarity.

Mental health professionals need to be better supported, so they can provide the quality care that our people deserve. NGOs and community organisations, many of which already do incredible work, need more funding and wider recognition of the importance of their programmes. Schools must play an active role in mental health education, integrating wellness into their curricula, and teaching students how to recognise and deal with mental health issues early on.

Most importantly, we all must shift the culture around mental health. It is a taboo topic for far too many, and the silence only deepens the pain. Families, friends, and even strangers must break through the stigma. It’s time for us to be vocal about mental health in the same way we talk about physical health. A nation that keeps quiet about mental illness is a nation that allows suffering to thrive in the shadows.

It’s not enough to point fingers and ask, ‘Who will address this?’ Each one of us is capable of creating change. The future of Jamaica depends on the mental well-being of its people. For every person who has suffered in silence, it’s time for their voices to be heard.

KAYLA BRISSETT

kaylabrissett1977@yahoo.

com