EDITORIAL: Mental health services need attention

THE GROWING NUMBER of vagrants across this island tells a sad story. It is not just about people dropping through the cracks because of tough economic conditions, but about the increasing incidence of mental illness that is going untreated.

In spite of the talk and promises of action, the reality is that mental illness is not getting the public attention it deserves. For many people the feeling, right or wrong, is that mental health matters are among those at the bottom on the national health agenda.

Nearly every Barbadian can relate a story about family members or friends who struggle with mental health issues – depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even suicide. Even though mental illness is seen today as a public health issue as opposed to a blameworthy personal failing, it still carries a public stigma.

Yes, as a society we have made some important forward strides with mental health care, but there is much more to be done.

The old issues of stigma, inadequate family support for those afflicted with the illness, and society’s attitude in post-care are still very much with us. This is perhaps why some people suffering with mental illness still continue to suffer in silence and do not access the services and care they require.

Those providing professional care can attest that science works – medication and the correct environment can help in prevention and treatment – but the political and community commitment is equally as necessary to have solutions that will make a difference in the lives of so many people.

Barbados needs to look seriously at having a collaborative mental health care system in which a primary care provider works with a behavioural health clinician and a case manager as a team to help the patient. There is a need to ensure we have among our emergency responders, particularly lawmen, trained personnel to deal specifically with mentally ill people in 24-hour crisis care situations. We also need evidence-based mental health services along with a community system to help prevent or certainly decrease readmissions, trauma and disruptions in the society. 

There must be an appreciation of the link between mental health illness and poverty, homelessness and unemployment, recognising that failure to deal with this illness can only lead to other concerns, including crime.

The entire community needs to put the same public effort behind mental illness that is shown to other worthy health causes, such as breast or prostate cancers, heart disease, stroke, diabetes or lupus. 

We can no longer avoid having the difficult conversations about mental illness. At the same time, this country needs to publicly outline a blueprint on improving its behavioural health care system.