Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

de la Haye

AS THE world celebrates Mental Health Day today, consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Winston De La Haye, says more needs to be done to address mental illness in Jamaica.

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feelings, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. They include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), among others.

According to Dr. De La Haye, other than the Detoxification Unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies, there is no residential treatment facility for children or adolescents in Jamaica.

He also noted that there was a limited budget allocation to mental health and substance abuse, resulting in limited resources.

Psychologists in schools

Dr. De La Haye recommended the placement of psychologists in all schools and life-skills training at the school and community level.

He also stated that there should be effective, evi-dence-based substance abuse prevention pro-grammes in all schools, in addition to the community level.

"Prevention will save large amounts spent on treating outcome," said Dr. De La Haye.

Dr. Earl Wright, director of mental health services in the Ministry of Health and Environment, said the stigma associated with mental illness is preventing persons from accessing treatment. He noted that as a result, companies lose productive years and time, as people suffer from absenteeism and presenteeism.

Dr. Wright said the ministry has embarked on a promotion to reduce the stigma associated with the illness, using the slogan, "There is no good health without good mental health". He said the ministry conducts seminars and workshops in health centres across the island.

Last year, some 13,000 persons were treated for mental illnesses in health centres. Dr. Wright said most mental conditions can be treated, adding that 80 per cent of individuals who receive treatment will get better.

Studies conducted locally have found that depression and substance abuse are the most common forms of mental illness in Jamaica. The prevalence rate for schizophrenia in Jamaica is 1.2 per cent.

Test for mental illness

You may have a mental health illness and don't know. If you have four or more of the following problems over a two-week period, check it out.

Feeling down, sad, or hopeless.

Not doing things that were once enjoyable.

Crying a lot.

Have little or no interest in sex.

Not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much.

Changes in appetite - eating too much or too little.

Feeling worthless or guilty.

Thinking often of death or suicide a lot.

Doing things that could harm you, like drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs or driving while drunk.

Source: Ministry of Health