Although children are still experiencing pyscho-social issues from the devastation and loss caused by Hurricane Mellissa, the availability of skilled personnel to provide counselling and physiological support still remains a major issue.
According to associate counselling psychologist Evangelist Fay Robinson-Tee, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) has been introducing different initiatives to attract skilled personnel over the years, but a number of those recruited often leave for better remuneration elsewhere. The loss is being especially felt in the area of child, adolescent and mental health services.
“We have people migrating. So you may have somebody being employed, and after a while they see another opportunity; they’re gone. And when it comes to mental health services, it’s hard to just take somebody [and] just get people in because it’s a specialised service,” said Evangelist Robinson-Tee, who practices privately.
“It will take time to train and develop the people to get the job done, and we also have to ensure that the remuneration is coming directly with their output and with their skill set. And sometimes we are woefully lacking in that area,” she said.
Even so, she noted that the resources available at the child guidance clinic have improved over the years, to the extent that the majority of the parishes, if not all, currently have a psychiatrist.
Evangelist Robinson-Tee, who started her career in mental health 28 years ago, was on the frontline in Western Jamaica shortly after Hurricane Melissa hit last year in October. While she cannot provide a concrete diagnosis, she said she witnessed children who manifested features that, if not attended to, could develop into post-traumatic stress disorder. There were those who exhibited fear, behavioural problems, irritability and mood changes.
“I’ve seen children who are withdrawn, afraid. Children who have difficulty sleeping because of the fear that something is likely to happen. Children who start exhibiting clingy behaviour because the loss of one loved one brought the fear, [that] if Mommy goes, if Daddy goes, does it mean they’re not going to come back?” she told Freedom Come Rain.
Health minister Dr Christopher Tufton had announced during his sectorial presentation in parliament last year in June that a comprehensive package of initiatives was to be rolled out to improve mental health services islandwide. Among the initiatives announced was the acceleration of the recruitment of psychiatrists to fill vacancies nationwide and a further expansion of the Community Mental Health Services with the addition of mental health officers and psychiatric nursing aides.
“The impact of COVID-19, which evidence suggests has seen an increase in mental health challenges, has underscored the need to do more. Globally and locally, there has been a marked increase in mental health challenges,” Dr. Tufton said at the time.
According to PAHO, over 130 health clinics in Jamaica were damaged by Mellissa, causing disruption in services. As a result of this, urgent clinical and psychosocial risks emerged for those with severe mental illness who depended on regular treatment.
“The devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa has led to widespread emotional distress, and if it is not addressed in a coordinated way, we will miss people who require mental and psychological support,” Dr Kevin Goulbourne, Director of Mental Health Services at the MOHW, was quoted as saying in a PAHO press release in December 2025.
PAHO partnered with the health ministry to mobilise trained volunteers to deliver psycho-social support in shelters shortly after the hurricane. In the first two weeks, psychological first aid, stress-management techniques, and referrals were done in several communities.
As the war intensifies in the Middle East, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on Jamaicans. Already, gas prices have been increasing, and manufacturers are warning householders to expect an increase in food prices. Evangelist Fay Robinson-Tee says Jamaicans will have to cling to faith and demonstrate resilience as geopolitical tensions increase.
