Rights group warns Jamaica at ‘critical juncture’ in mental health response

Rights group Stand Up for Jamaica says the country is now at a critical juncture in its response to mental illness as, despite years of advocacy, thousands of Jamaicans -including children, the homeless, and incarcerated individuals - still live without meaningful access to mental health care.

In a media release on Thursday, it said this neglect fuels cycles of violence, poverty and despair that affect every community.

The group points to recent data showing that in September 2025 alone, more than 600 Jamaicans called the national mental health helpline seeking help for various mental health crises. It says trauma and suicidal thoughts also continue to be pressing concerns.

Stand Up for Jamaica says Jamaica has seen an increase in suicide since COVID-19, and the recorded numbers in 2025 are concerning.

Turning to the justice system, the group notes that some 300 persons remain in limbo, unfit to plead due to mental issues, trapped in custody without psychiatric care.

It says five years after repeated recommendations, Jamaica still lacks a dedicated forensic psychiatric facility, leaving hundreds to languish in correctional institutions unequipped for treatment.

"Mental illness is not confined to hospital wards or the outskirts of our communities, it is visible in our classrooms, on our streets, and behind prison walls. Children and youth are showing alarming rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioural distress," Stand Up for Jamaica says.

It adds that the slated resumption of the School Mental Health Literacy Programme, led by guidance counsellors, is a step in the right direction, but awareness alone is not enough.

"Prevention must start early, with school-based mental health education, counselling support, and teacher training to identify warning signs and provide help before crises emerge," it opines.

It is calling for mental health inclusion in all public policy and budgeting; early prevention and education in schools to promote emotional literacy and resilience; Community-based services linking housing, violence prevention, and mental health care; and the establishment of a forensic psychiatric facility and humane treatment for mentally ill detainees.

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