Teacher getting medical care after mental breakdown at Sydney Pagon STEM Academy

By Kimone Witter    

 

The teacher from Sydney Pagon STEM Academy in St. Elizabeth who had a mental breakdown at the school on Wednesday is continuing to receive medical care.

 

Students were reportedly traumatised on Wednesday by the behaviour of the educator and resulted in physical classes being suspended for two days.

 

Students sitting external examinations have not been affected by the disruption.

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica News on Thursday morning, Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) President Leighton Johnson urged teachers to not suffer in silence. 

 

"As an association, we continue to advocate for teachers with mental health issues and we also want to encourage the nation...that the stigma that comes with mental health is one that we ought to, as best as possible, try to eradicate. This is a situation that can happen to anyone, and we hope as best as possible that our members are taking the best care of their physical state of being and their psychological health," he said. 

 

The Ministry of Education has said it is providing support and counselling to those affected, including access to clinicians for psychological and socio-emotional care for school staff and students.