Health ministry, UWI launch mental health hotline for adolescents

Kristen-Le Chelle Winchester

UWI has announced the launch of Chatline, a mental health service designed to address adolescent mental health challenges.

Set up through a collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), UNICEF, Child Development Centre in Jamaica and the UWI Department of Behavioural Sciences, this messaging service is currently accessible to the UWI student community with plans to expand nationally in the future. The programme aims to provide support or social services resources to people who need mental health support

On August 6 at the Office of the Campus Principal, UWI, St Augustine, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said Chatline is the avenue to access this support. He said this initiative is part of an overall plan to "decentralise
mental health.”

He said, “The age group we are targeting is the age that goes to UWI and who goes to all tertiary educational centres. That age group and those adolescents that are trying to deal with life and its challenges.”

Deyalsingh noted the dangerous aspects of social media and its impact on mental health, saying social media is debilitating not only to physical health but also to mental health.

He said the aim of Chatline is to remove the existing stigma surrounding mental challenges.

“Stigma is a mark, it is a tattoo and it is a brand. We had to deal with stigma with HIV, but now we have to deal with the stigma of mental health. It may not be a physical brand, but just to be branded that I am suffering from depression

“When you are in your circles, everyone would admit that they are diabetic or that they are hypertensive, but does anybody admit that they suffer from depression?

"This is because of stigma.”

UNICEF mental health and psychological services specialist Bertrand Moses emphasised
that mental health is a priority in the Caribbean region. He said, "Fifty per cent of mental health challenges begin at the age of 14 while 75 per cent of mental health disorders then continue at the age of 25.”

He said a regional UNICEF mental health initiative that had brought together young people from 17 countries had identified violence, the effects of climate change and education as the key issues affecting the mental health of young people.

“This is particularly of solid importance to us at UNICEF because based on all of the feedback and the work that I have done with the MOE, MOH and with UWI, this chatline is possible.”

Department head of Behavioural Sciences Dr Talia Esnard echoed Deyalsingh's sentiments
on removing the stigma surrounding mental health.

“The MoU (memorandum of understanding) will ensure that all partners work together to improve access, awareness, to address issues of stigma.

"We will work together to ensure also that we address the issue of prevalence and ensure that as we move forward, persons are sensitised and also sensitive to issues of mental health.”

Esnard said Chatline is equipped with 67 trained volunteers at UWI who have professional experience in social and psychological services and mediation, and postgraduate psychology students.

These volunteers would all be supported by UWI faculty and university associates.

In a phone interview, 2023-2024 UWI Guild president Aishwarya Maharaj said this initiative is a step in the right direction.

“It is good to see premium agencies like UWI and the Ministry of Health collaborating with partners like UNICEF to bridge the gap by having these conversations. There is a stigma attached to mental health and this is a wonderful initiative that helps with changing that narrative.”