Ministry of Health & Wellness Intranet

 

• Promotes safe spaces with donation of Wellness Bench

Kingston, Jamaica. Tuesday, June 6, 2023: Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, together with members of the national mental health team, is conducting a series of wellness check-ins at various high schools, ahead of the summer holidays.

The Minister earlier today opened the check-ins at Denham Town High School where he engaged students, providing them with tips to keep mentally well.

The intervention forms a part of the #DoYourShare anti-stigma campaign which prioritises the creation of safe spaces for young people who may be struggling with mental health challenges; and which makes available information, education and communication resources on mental wellness. The campaign also includes the donation of a ‘Wellness Bench’ as a symbol for safe spaces and as a tool to promote communication about mental wellness.

The check-ins, which reflect the collaboration of the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Education & Youth, are in line with plans announced by Minister Tufton in his Sectoral presentation earlier this year.

“Mental wellness has and continues to be a national priority and, as a Ministry of Health & Wellness, we are intent on doing everything we can for the people of Jamaica, old and young, in order to safeguard their wellness,” the Minister said.

 “It is no longer acceptable to have people suffer in silence due to the stigma associated with mental illness. Our response is, therefore, to focus on mental wellness and to provide people with tools to support their mental wellness,” he added.

Those efforts, he explained, include promoting better understanding and acceptance that mental health issues can affect anyone, with a specific effort to enhance the mental wellness of children and youth.

The wellness check-ins are included in those efforts and involves stakeholders from the Child Guidance Clinics, the Jamaica Psychiatric Association and the Jamaica Psychological Society. The professionals will visit two schools from each education region over the next few weeks.

During the visits, the students will, as they did earlier today, be provided with the space to explore the four dimensions of health, namely the spiritual, the physical, the social, and the mental. The sessions – done in accordance with the curriculum of the School Mental Literacy Programme – are also to expose them to coping skills for stress and share available resources.

Those resources include:

• the 888-SAFE-SPOT (888-723-3776) helpline for children up to 18 years old, which can also be accessed via WhatsApp at 876-439-5199 or through direct message @safespotja on Snapchat and Instagram;
• the U-Matter Chatline for 16-24 years olds that is accessible by texting SUPPORT to 876-838-4897, and via Instagram and Facebook Messenger @ureportjamaica.

There is also the Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Helpline, 888-NEW-LIFE (888-639-5433).

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