From breakdown to breakthrough

Shemoye Bowman was on the cusp of a promotion at a call centre when he experienced a mental breakdown. As he felt his world crumbling, he checked into the Portland Rehabilitation Management Centre (PRMC).

A year and two months later, the 28-year-old is beaming with pride over his progress, particularly thrilled by his recent certification after doing a six-month HEART/NSTA Trust security course at the Portland Arts and Vocational Education Centre (PAVE), where he had been working part-time as a security guard.

Bowman is among three residents at the centre who recently got certification, the other two achieving this in housekeeping.

The men, who have been diagnosed with similar mental conditions and are receiving treatment at the centre, were able to pursue the courses through a partnership between PAVE and Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ), with the support of the German Embassy in Kingston, and the American Friends of Jamaica, which has taken on the operations of the centre as one of its projects.

Under the partnership, three residents are selected twice yearly to pursue courses in housekeeping, interior decorating, and security. The aim is to equip the residents with a skill, which they can use to gain employment and to function independently when they leave the centre.

Reflecting on his life before, Bowman said, “I was working before I came here. It was immediately before I was nominated for some promotion, and I was working at a call centre when I had a mental breakdown, so coming here seemed like it was something very bad.”

However, the Brown’s Town High alumnus, who graduated with only a single subject – social studies – expressed immense pride in his achievements and is highly motivated to pursue further goals.

“This is a proud moment for me. Not everyone could have completed a security course and finished it successfully because a security course is one of the most challenging ones. It is physical work, theory, and practical,” he said. “It has made me alert, more responsible, and I am more confident in my abilities. It’s just wonderful.”

On Tuesday, Bowman landed a job with a security firm, having sent an application since getting certified.

“My future plan is to work, stay focused, and try to not relapse because if I don’t relapse, I know that I can achieve anything in this world that I want because I see that if I focus on work and save my money, I can achieve greatness,” said the young man, whose ultimate goal is to open a car rental business.

In the meantime, Bowman said his time at the rehab centre has taught him more about mental illness and he is thinking about “ stepping out” and advocating.

“I am realising that it is not just persons on the streets who you may see wearing dirty clothes and are homeless who struggle from mental illness. [It] is a wide scope of people in this world that is struggling,” Bowman said.

He noted that it is important for family members to support their loved ones who are struggling with such issues.

NORMALITY CAN BE MAINTAINED

“It is something that can get better, and in fact, they can achieve things in life just as normal because many persons working who are teachers, doctors, and lawyers are struggling with mental illness and have to be medicated, but are living a normal life.

“It is not something to feel bad about; it is something to treat and work around and live with,” Bowman said.

He is grateful for the personnel at the PRMC, including the manager, Krista-Gay Plummer, who encouraged him to pursue the course.

“My time was not [wasted],” he said.

Plummer is also elated at their success.

“I am filled with immense pride and joy for each of them in this significant milestone in their journey, seeing where they are coming from.

“When they just came to the centre, they were in such a state. They were at stage one and to see that they took on this course and to hear the teacher talk so highly of them, to see that they were so loved at school and that their performance was great, words can’t even explain how proud I am feeling,” the centre manager said.

Carla Gullotta, executive director of SUFJ, said their achievement should encourage people to reconsider their stereotypes.

“The three of them graduated last Sunday with honours and have shown absolutely that they are capable of doing a job successfully and their success confirms that we are on the right path with our approach towards persons with mental challenges,” she said. “The PRMC is a living example that an avenue for rehabilitation and inclusion is possible and can achieve the proposed goals.”

Gullotta noted that since 2016, SUFJ has been advocating for a different approach towards mental illness.

“There are a lot of people who suffer from mental challenges and can be rehabilitated. An early assessment is vital. If somebody shows the first sign of mental disadvantage and you intervene, it can be controlled, and with treatment and support, persons can live a normal life,” she said.

She said the rehab centre project aims to rehabilitate the residents and provide them with activities that foster all their capabilities.

“We grow chickens; we have a vineyard, where we grow vegetables; we have rabbits, goats – all the things to keep them occupied and to help ourselves generate some income to support them and pay our valuable staff.

“We believe in inclusion, a second chance, which provides the possibility for those people who have been heavily traumatised to have a normal life and to return to their communities and be among their families,” she added.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com