Michael Bent, Regional Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority
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Michael Bent, Regional Director for the SRHA
By Kimone Witter
Regional Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Michael Bent, has painted a grim picture of mental health challenges in Manchester as more people seek help through clinics and health centres.
Mr. Bent revealed that in 2022 there were 45,552 visits by 5,822 people with mental health issues at primary healthcare facilities.
This increased to more than 50,000 visits by 6,250 clients in 2023.
Mr. Bent said 249 men have been brought in for psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia, compared to 93 women.
On the other hand, more women - 190 - sought treatment for depressive disorders, compared to 69 men.
Mr. Bent said it is unclear whether these figures are due to more females seeking medical attention or persons being more receptive to helping them than men.
Turning to attempted suicide, the regional director said there has also been an increase in cases.
"In 2022, there were 26 reported suicide attempts among adults in Manchester. And listen to this: In 2023, there were 49 - an increase of almost 90 per cent of suicide attempts among adults in Manchester," he pointed out.
Alarmingly, the number of attempted suicide cases among children has also risen in the parish.
In 2022, there were 63 children who attempted suicide in Manchester, but this rose to 195 in 2023 - a more than 200 per cent increase.
Mr. Bent said the statistics bring into sharp focus the hurdles being faced by healthcare workers as they seek to promote good mental health.
He called for families to give support to loved ones who are struggling.
"I'm calling on this group and others in corporate Jamaica to stay the course; stay the course with us, and for others to join in because we have a great almost a crisis and it needs to be addressed," he said, calling for a proactive approach, "not when they reach the clinic or the mental health team has to go and pick them up on the road".
"The statistics show that while more persons are having more mental health challenges, more persons...are also seeking help. That is good. It's an indication that additional focus that has been placed on mental health is working," he acknowledged.
Mr. Bent was speaking Tuesday at a Rotary club of Mandeville Vocational Service awards dinner.
Two registered charities in Manchester—Candle In The Dark Empowerment Centre and the Ebenezer Rehabilitation Centre—were recognised at the awards dinner for their work in attending to the needs of the homeless and people with mental illness.
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