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Mental Health illness - Finding a Solution
Health officials from the Caribbean are currently participating in a consultation with the aim of implementing the Mental Health Policy and Action Plan for Dominica
Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean countries Dr. Gina Watson says mental health is the core in the development of the health sector
She told this morning’s National Mental Health Policy consultation at the Garraway hotel that the issue of inequity and quality must be addressed. Watson says other issues such as stigma and discrimination should also be addressed in order to create a sustainable effective policy.
Dr. Watson also issued a call for spiritual leaders on the island to acquire the necessary training in the field of mental health in Dominica. She says the benefits of the use of trained spiritual leaders in such a field are evident in several countries.
Meantime Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Davis Letang says there has been a decrease in the number of individuals affected by mental health illness on the island.
However Director of Montreal WHO/PAHO Collaborating team Dr. Marc Laporta says the decrease in the number of mentally affected individuals may be caused by a lack of detection for treatment by the relative medical personnel.
Dr Watson’s appeal for spiritual leaders to be trained in mental health is very encouraging. For those of us who are making the effort and find it very difficut to minister to our people. We say THANK YOU DR. Watson!
We can only hope and pray that those in authority will respond as is being done in several countries.
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