Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Ganesh Shetty - Gleaner file photo
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Dr. Ganesh Shetty
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Ganesh Shetty says only one out of every twenty children needing mental health support in Jamaica, will receive it.
Speaking Sunday on Radio Jamaica's That's A Rap, Dr. Shetty explained that globally, the resources along with trained professionals to treat mental health are short and Jamaica would be in even greater need.
In the United States, he said, one in three children who need help get it, while in Canada, one out of four children get help.
Dr. Shetty pointed to the importance of parenting along with early identification of mental challenges in children.
He suggested that equipping parents with the right kind of skills will enable them to give adequate psychosocial support to their children and help steer them away from being led by others.
Additionally, he said steps should be taken by schools, communities and churches to 'trauma-proof' children.
"Plus we need to look at the undiagnosed and untreated mental disorders
which make them not succeed in school and try to help them feel better by using some sort of training," Dr. Shetty proposed.
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