Less than 10% of children with severe mental health disorders receiving help
THERE ARE estimates that up to 46,000 Jamaican children are afflicted with a severe form of mental health disorder that requires immediate intervention.
However, only 4,006 were seen at the child guidance clinics during 2018 according to Ministry of Health and Wellness.
“The number of individual patients, i.e., the caseload, is 4,006 patients seen for mental disorders in the child guidance clinics for 2018,” said Dr Judith Leiba, director, child & adolescent mental health in the ministry. She was responding to questions posed by The Gleaner.
It must be noted that there is a significant difference in the number quoted by Leiba (4,006) and the 13,356 that is contained in the 2018 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ) which Leiba also referenced.
“The key difference is contained in Dr Leiba’s response,” said a child behavioural specialist who has spent more than 20 years working with mentally challenged children.
STRUGGLING AND UNDERSTAFFED
“What she quoted is the actual number seen by the struggling and understaffed child guidance clinics. The reality is that some of these children had several sessions, especially those with severe cases like those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder or those with suicidal thoughts or extremely aggressive behaviour,” the specialist explained.
Leiba was asked how many child guidance clinics exist and whether they were fully staffed to deal with the issues they are presented with. However, the picture presented is worrying.
“There are 20 clinic sites throughout the island but the frequency of clinics vary from parish to parish.
“Only three clinics are open five days for the week, some once per month (some) once per week,” Leiba revealed.
She was quick to add that “Worldwide, there is a shortage of mental health professionals who are qualified, competent and willing to work with children.
“The issue is no different in Jamaica.”
According to the director, working with children with mental health disorders is much more challenging than working with adults.
“The professional has to work with child, family, and sometimes there has to be school and community interventions,” she pointed out.
‘Worldwide, there is a shortage of mental health professionals who are qualified, competent and willing to work with children. The issue is no different in Jamaica.’