Protecting those who protect
National security minister urges focus on police wellness at mental health symposium
Published:Saturday | October 12, 2024 | 5:55 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang stressed the urgent need for mental health wellness among police officers, at a symposium organised by the St Catherine South Police on Wednesday.
The event, held at the Police College of Jamaica in Twickenham Park, St Catherine, aimed to prioritise the importance of mental health and overall well-being in the police force, to ensure that officers can effectively manage the challenges they face in their line of duty.
“Prior to the last five years, everybody was concerned about physical challenges, salaries, and so on, but now we can look at the quality of life of the police officer,” Dr Chang stated.
He acknowledged the growing challenges officers face, particularly with mental health, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases that disproportionately affect them.
He reflected on past issues, noting, “There were situations in the past where police officers, because stations were ill-equipped, would have to leave to get things like insulin and then return to duty. These are things of the past.”
Dr Chang highlighted that wellness must now become an integral part of police culture. He noted that the force has begun to address this, starting with the appointment of a superintendent responsible for welfare, with plans to expand the focus to wellness and assure officers that their medical concerns are a priority.
‘GETTING BETTER RESPONSES TO MENTAL CASES’
Deputy Commissioner of Police Andrew Lewin, representing Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake, reinforced the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) commitment to mental health as part of their broader transformation agenda.
Reading from a statement prepared by the commissioner, Lewin said, “Our well-being is inextricably linked to our ability to serve and protect our communities. Therefore, we are committed to fostering a culture that encourages bold discussions, supports mental health initiatives, and promotes holistic well-being.”
Hosted during World Mental Health Week, the symposium, themed ‘Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace’, was hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Wellness.
It provided a platform for discussions around mental health awareness and action, specifically targeting members of the JCF and their interaction with the community.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police for Area Five, Christopher Phillips, who moderated the event, highlighted the success of a mental health training programme initiated last year for 35 officers in the St Catherine South Police Division.
“The group has remained together and has been responding to issues within St Catherine South and providing assistance outside the division. We are getting better responses to mental cases,” Phillips said.
Phillips expressed the need to expand the training across the entire JCF, with the immediate goal being to extend the initiative across Area Five. He hopes this will trigger a widespread focus on mental health throughout the JCF, a move supported by the Ministry of National Security.
The keynote address was delivered by renowned psychologist from Georgia, United States, Dr Morais Cassell, who spoke on ‘The Psychological Toll of Policing and Why Mental Health Matters’. His remarks underscored the importance of mental health in the policing profession and the need for continued support for officers.
The overall objective of World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10 each year with several activities during the week, is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental health.