‘It’s a very sad situation’
Psychologist critical of Sangster Int’l’s handling of tourist suffering mental breakdown
THE INDIVIDUALS who observed an American woman disrobe and experience a mental breakdown at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, are facing criticism for seemingly turning the incident into a spectacle.
The incident, captured on video and now widely circulated, underscores the apparent decline in global empathy, according to clinical psychologist Dr Pearnel Bell.
Bell shared these observations with The Gleaner last evening, hours after the woman, reported to be a dentist, was admitted to Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) for treatment.
The distressing episode unfolded about 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday as the woman prepared to board a United Airlines flight to Las Vegas in the United States, with a conflict erupting between her and a friend in the departure section of the Jamaican airport terminal.
Many people assumed she was under the influence of drugs as she threw her clothing on the individuals trying to restrain her and even attacking the police, while shouting expletives during a screaming rampage.
It is widely known that a number of tourists experience psychotic episodes after having marijuana-laced cookies, in addition to other types of drugs.
However, reports suggest the American woman was grappling with personal issues, and the observed psychotic episode could potentially indicate bipolar disorder.
Bell expressed concern, stating, “Quickly, the brain should have gone into a mode to say something must be wrong with this lady. It cannot be normal. It was also obviously not a laughing matter.”
She emphasised that the nudity in the incident revealed a loss of complete sense of reality.
Bell criticised the handling of the situation, highlighting the need for sensitisation sessions for airport staff on crisis management.
She pointed out that “lack of knowledge, not understanding what was happening, shows training is needed in how to differentiate between somebody who is lewd and making some type of mischief”.
The clinical psychologist suggested that a more dignified approach would have been for security forces to approach the woman from behind, restrain her, and move her to a designated area.
“One man was doing the right thing, but he was cautioned by his colleagues. He held her in a caring manner wanting to do something about it because he recognised what was happening,” she observed.
‘A THREAT TO HERSELF AND OTHERS’
Another clinical psychologist who is not treating the American tourist said she watched the video and argues that no airport in the world will ever be prepared to deal with such a situation.
“She was a threat to herself and others. The police had no choice but to subdue her. She was not giving them a chance,” Georgia Rose told The Gleaner.
Her main concern is that people saw it more as a spectacle than a call for help, which is a “global atrocity”, she said, because they were more entertained by her tragedy than concerned for her welfare.
“We have become desensitised to people’s pain. It is what is going to get the most views and more likes. When I watched it, I saw pain. We also have to pray that none of us gets into the situation where we lose our minds,” she cautioned.
She added: “When people are at their low point, we don’t need to video it. It’s a very sad situation.”
Up to press time, the American remained under observation at CRH, according to Delano Seiveright, senior adviser in the Ministry of Tourism.
“We have reached out to her family and we hope to get her home as soon as possible. The police have handled it as best as they could,” he stated.