Despite challenges, CUMI keeps head above water
Published:Saturday | December 15, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Barrington Flemming, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:The Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill (CUMI) is celebrating the survival of yet another year and reintegration of 10 individuals into the society.
Joy Crooks, the nurse administrator of the 21-year-old Montego Bay-based non-governmental organisation, says it was able to survive based on the annual charity and donations from individuals and companies.
"We are thankful that we have gone through another year successfully," said Crooks. "We are still surviving from our major fund-raising event, which is the CUMI Come Run held in September and from which $2 million was raised and deposited in the trust fund from which interest is earned and used to fund us."
Crooks said despite the harsh economic conditions, the Burchell Baptist Church, Half Moon, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, and OJ Coolers continued their support.
CUMI now sees an average of 17 patients with the number sometimes rising to 25 daily.
The number of patients that CUMI sees has been on the decline, something Crooks says is a positive, as some have been discharged from its service, while others are maintaining their mental health by taking their medication and keeping themselves clean.
SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATED
She informed that some of the former patients have found employment while others have been reintegrated with their families.
"It is so good to see them as they have learnt how to manage on their own. They have been keeping up with their medication and are functioning normally," said Crooks. "They sometimes come by to visit and we keep abreast of them to see how they getting on with their lives."
The nurse says what is most encouraging is the fact that there has not been an increase in the number of mentally ill on the streets, which is a positive indication that what CUMI and other agencies have been doing is working.
CUMI will, on December 18, host its Annual Seasonal Concert and Open House Day starting at 1 p.m., featuring local talent and CUMI clients.