Chairman of the North West Regional Health Authority Bryan Sealy says society needs to stop treating mental health as taboo. He made this comment while delivering remarks at the official opening of the Barataria Mental Health and Wellness Centre, 135 Eastern Main Road, Barataria, yesterday.
Sealy said: "We are driven in our quest to eliminate discrimination to an issue that seems to be the bastard child of health. Whenever we speak about mental health, it seems to be taboo and out of place in our society. We need to address it. Can we continue to treat mental health as taboo?"
He made reference to homes for the elderly who are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.
"We need to become more understanding towards those who face such a plight and work as a community to provide adequate care for the mentally challenged."
He said education was a key component in the fight to reduce taboo, stigma and discrimination.
"We will continue to educate the public until the walls of discrimination and stigma crumble. We will continue to deliver excellent mental healthcare," Sealy said.
Sealy made reference to the first-ever psychosocial rehabilitation programme which aims to rehabilitate the mentally challenged and socially displaced. They will be empowered by the reacqisition of social and independent living skills, he said. "In October, 37 individuals completed this intense four months training programme known as the rehabilitation Aide programme."
It will also be conducted at the St Ann's Hospital and Arima Rehabilitation Centre.
He also spoke about the renovation of Ward 1 at St Ann's, which had been decommissioned for a decade, and plans to establish a wellness centre at Port-of-Spain. ML