Mental illnesses is no joke: Seek help
Published:Friday | May 17, 2019 | 12:17 AM
Recently, wellness has been at the forefront of the minds of Jamaicans and the topic of much conversation. Often, however, wellness is restricted to the physical – exercise and diet – and not so much mental health.
One of the nation’s most vulnerable groups suffers from adverse childhood experience (ACEs) which go on to affect adulthood, if they do not receive help early.
Chevening Scholar Juleus Ghunta shared his story of being misdiagnosed by doctors who said he had epilepsy when he was experiencing symptoms such as nightmares, depression, motor inhibition, dizziness and blackouts. He explained that no one thought to check for a connection to his past and what he was experiencing. Ghunta decided to study himself while he attended the University of Bradford after reading a book called The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, and he realised that his traumatic childhood could have ongoing effects on his life as an adult. Ghunta has since authored a book as expressive writing and storytelling were his way of coping with the effects of ACEs on his health.
But what of those children who may not have the ability to diagnose themselves and are without the avenues, as did Ghunta, to get better? What about the children who do not understand what is happening?
HOW TO COPE
To answer these, Kimone Rose, reigning, Miss Clarendon Festival Queen has some ideas as she has been affected by ACEs and has found ways to cope, and improve her health.
“Being sexually harassed as a teen along with keeping up the standards of being an A-student and all the expectations was hard,” she said, “Add my parents getting divorced to the list and you have a child who was mentally drained.”
Rose explained that she had repressed a lot her feelings until she started tertiary studies.
“I remember in my second year at UWI all the pressures from university and the repressed emotions and feelings all came to the surface, and that was when I had my first anxiety attack,” she recalled.
This attack led to her getting help at the counselling unit at The University of the West Indies, and there she began therapy.
Rose, however, saw where others who are suffering from the effects of ACEs have taken to using harmful substances, and other unhealthy routes to cope with their issues, she made personal decision to recover and heal.
“As evidence that I am recovering, I am more comfortable to talk about things that have happened to me. I also had support and went for therapy because it did help me,” she said, “I also spent time with myself to uproot things that would be triggers.”
She further explained that art therapy was another avenue for her to cope. However, at 26 years old, Rose explained that she is extra anxious when in public because of the many reports of kidnapping and rapes. Because of what she has experienced, she is fearful and has to create security for herself.
ACEs EFFECTS
Janelle Reid, a licensed associate psychologist, highlighted some of the effects of ACEs.
“ACEs sometimes stem from children who have mental issues or have experienced trauma and abuse. They usually have low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, become substance abusers and are usually more susceptible to chronic illnesses,” she said.
As recommendations, Reid agrees that it is best to speak with a professional or a third party who is trustworthy. She is, however, concerned with the stigma that surrounds seeking help for mental health.
“I was a counsellor in another Caribbean country and it was the same attitude towards mental health issues as we have in Jamaica. It is as if this is something that is ingrained in our culture as a region,” she said, “but the professionals are here to help and create a rapport so [that] each client can be comfortable to speak and get the help they need.”
MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME
Think Mental Health JA, led by Rose, which is based in Clarendon, is to host a programme aimed at mental wellness.
“It is a social intervention programme which promotes mental wellness and seeks to influence the public attitude towards mental health and illness, while providing help where possible, and information where help is available,” she explained.
They will be having an interactive workshop, dubbed ‘Mindful Parenting’, on Saturday, May 25, where parents can explore ways to contribute to their child’s development while improving their own well-being. The workshop will be held at Kellits Primary School in Clarendon.