The support and commitment to mental health on the island by several stakeholders has come in for praise by Government.
The recognition came yesterday at the official opening of the newly-refurbished buildings at the Psychiatric Hospital, Black Rock, St. Michael, to be used for the delivery of Occupational and Recreational therapy to clients.
Highlighting the importance of stakeholders, Acting Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Sonia Browne, said the mental health reform programme, backed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), stands as a beacon of progress.
She noted that through strategic partnerships with PAHO, Barbados was actively shaping a mental health landscape that is responsive, inclusive, and aligned with international standards.
“Their unwavering dedication has not only facilitated the modernisation of our mental health services, but also exemplifies a collaborative approach towards fostering wellness, reducing stigma, and increasing accessibility to care,” said Dr. Browne.
The Acting Health Minister also praised the dedicated psychiatric team and the Mental Health Commission at the Hospital, noting that their roles were pivotal to realising the vision for mental wellbeing.
“Together, they have been instrumental in designing and implementing innovative strategies that prioritise not only the treatment of mental health disorders but also the cultivation of a broader culture of wellness,” she said.
Dr. Browne further noted that through educational initiatives, community engagement and outreach programmes, both were helping to break down barriers, dispel myths, and actively working together towards reducing the stigma associated with mental health challenges.
“As we open these new therapeutic units, let them be a symbol of our collective commitment to a future where mental health is an integral part of overall wellbeing, a future where stigma is replaced by understanding, and access to care is a universal right. Through the collaborative endeavors of PAHO, the psychiatric team and the Mental Health Commission we aspire to create a society that not only provides treatment, but actively promotes mental wellness for all,” said the Acting Health Minister.
Dr. Browne was also joined by Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw, in her praise for PAHO. Ms. Bradshaw shared that Barbados had been receiving technical assistance from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to revise the 1985 Mental Health Act to bring it in line with advances in the delivery of care, including rehabilitation services and mental health care provided in the community.
Explaining that the Act covers care provided in the hospital setting but currently does not include that provided by consultant psychiatrists practising in polyclinics or by community mental health nurses who make home visits to newly discharged patients and at-risk individuals, Ms. Bradshaw said she looked forward to the revised Act coming to Parliament.
She also noted that in addition to revising the Act, PAHO was collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to develop a Road Map for Mental Health Reform and a Mental Health Strategic Plan for the continued development of mental health care and its delivery in Barbados.