Adventists join fight to end mental illness stigma

North Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has joined the fight to reduce the stigma against children with mental-health issues after receiving a cheque in the amount of J$150,000 yesterday.

The cheque was presented by the RBC Royal Bank through its Children's Mental Health Project.

Early intervention

This year, the organisers selected the North Jamaica Conference Children's Ministries Department, along with two other non-governmental and registered charity organisations - Promise Learning Centre and Ferdie's House - to provide early intervention, increase awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness in Jamaica.

"Our commitment to children's mental health is grounded in the fact that mental disorders begin in childhood or adolescence, and if the signs are recognised and appropriate interventions are taken, children can go on to lead normal and productive lives," said Barrington Watson, market head, business banking for RBC, in a news release last year as he extended the invitation for applicants to the project which closed on October 31.

"We are proud to once again offer our support to organisations that continue their earnest and valiant fight to protect and strengthen Jamaica's children through their work in this area," Watson said.

Focus on youth

The programme itself requires that the focus is to be centred on children and youth up to 18 years old; provide services and support to at-risk youth, parents and caregivers; offer public outreach and education, and offer solutions and practices that can be reused and taught elsewhere.

Richard Benjamin, branch manager from the RBC Royal Bank in Ocho Rios, St Ann, who presented the cheque to Rachel Pyne, the director for the Children's Ministries Department of NJC headquartered in Drax Hall, St Ann, was assured that the money would be put to its correct use.

"I can assure you, sir, that the funds received today will certainly go towards the project of training our children's ministries coordinators in St Ann and Trelawny," said Pyne. "Additionally, our teachers, counsellors and 300 children within the communities and our churches will benefit from the workshops which will sensitise and bring greater awareness of what mental health is."

She continued: "We are partnering with you as we dedicate ourselves to providing early intervention, and increased public awareness to reduce the stigma of mental illness in these two parishes."

The RBC Royal Bank in Jamaica launched the Children's Mental Health Project in 2012 as part of the bank's ongoing commitment to health and wellness. This is the first time the Adventist Church in North Jamaica is receiving this grant.