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At least 1,200 trained in psychological first aid to support storm-hit parishes

Published:Sunday | November 30, 2025 | 12:09 AM
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A team of healthcare workers from the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the South East Regional Health Authority at their psychological first aid training in Kingston on November 12.
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A team of healthcare workers from the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the South East Regional Health Authority at their psychological first aid training in Kingston on November 12.
A fisherman in Salem, St Ann, sits among the rubble, holding his head in despair as he surveys damage on the Salem fishing beach during Hurricane Melissa’s passage.
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A fisherman in Salem, St Ann, sits among the rubble, holding his head in despair as he surveys damage on the Salem fishing beach during Hurricane Melissa’s passage.
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About 1,200 people have been trained to deliver psychological first aid in parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

The training, supported by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, is part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Health & Wellness to expand mental health and psychosocial support after the Category 5 storm struck on October 28, causing widespread damage and disruption.

Psychological first aid, as defined by PAHO/WHO, is humane, supportive and practical help for people affected by crisis. It is not clinical therapy but involves listening with empathy, providing comfort and helping individuals feel safe.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said the programme addresses not only visible physical damage but also the unseen psychological toll on individuals, families, frontline workers and vulnerable groups.

“The emotional wounds left behind by Hurricane Melissa are real and significant. As we rebuild, the well-being of our people – especially those who have lost loved ones, livelihoods, or a sense of safety – must remain at the centre of our recovery efforts,” Tufton said.

PAHO/WHO representative to Jamaica and Bermuda Dr Ian Stein added: “It is necessary, therefore, that we prioritise mental health and psychosocial support services as we rebuild and recover with resilience. It is against this background that the ministry, with the support of the Pan-American Health Organization, has and continues to lead teams of mental health professionals into the field in order to safeguard access to care.”

In addition to community training, more than 160 health personnel have completed specialised instruction to provide targeted support to frontline workers. The team was first deployed on November 13 and has since visited several health facilities in western Jamaica.

The ministry has also expanded collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Guidance and Counselling Unit to train principals, teachers and counsellors in psychosocial strategies. Officials say this will help ensure students traumatised by the hurricane have access to safe and supportive environments.