Mental health issues in the Caribbean are at a critical level, according to the region’s leading health facility, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
Speaking at CARPHA’s 69th Research Conference on the theme ‘Mental Health, The Hidden Pandemic,’ Barbados’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George, said Barbados and other countries in the region have been seeing an uptick in the number of mental health cases.
“Mental health issues in the Caribbean have reached a critical level. Across the region, there have been notable rises in persons experiencing mental health conditions, especially among young people, with many individuals experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and stress.”
Dr. George said it is important that regional bodies expand their health care services.
“In Barbados, for example, there has been a 100% increase in the number of individuals seeking psychological and mental health services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge is reflective of a broader regional trend where the impact of the pandemic has led to significant rises in mental health conditions.”
Meanwhile, CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, said the region’s mental health issues should be of concern to all regional healthcare professionals.
“Mental health is a global public health issue. It includes not only the traditional focus on individual therapy interactions but also emerging frameworks designed to address mental health at the population health level. Health is shaped by a plethora of determinants: gender, genetics, socioeconomic status, education, physical environment, social supporting networks, access to health services, and now, crime and violence.”
More than 170 research papers have been accepted to be included at this year’s CARPHA Research Conference, which will be held from May 7th to 9th in Barbados.