In a bid to end Mental Health stigma, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton says a collaborative approach is needed to help deal with the challenges of mental illness in the country.
Studies reflect that four of every 10 Jamaicans at some point in their lives will suffer from some form of mental illness.
The minister says the western parishes of St James, Westmoreland, Trelawny and Hanover have seen the most reported cases of mental illnesses in 2018.
Tufton says the stigma attached to mental illness threatens the efforts of the health care sector. in that persons are afraid to come forward
While alluding to statistics on the treatment of mental illnesses in Western Jamaica, he says the Health care system is working to accommodate patients.
The Minister however says to tackle mental illness and create any real change the approach must involve the community.
