Caribbean Times 52nd Issue - Friday 15th July 2016

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8 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Friday 15th July 2016 Mental health legislation gets full attention at a workshop A workshop to deal with the finalization of the Antigua and Barbuda Mental Health Act 2015 was held at the SJPC’s Conference Room yesterday. The forum hosted by the Ministry of Health and the Environment was facilitated by House Officer and Mental Health Focal Point Dr. Terri-Ann Joseph and Legal Draftsperson at Legal Affairs Colin Hodge. In welcoming the participants, Dr. Joseph said that mental health legislation is indispensible for the protection of the rights of people with mental disorders who face stigma, discrimination and marginalization. Additionally, she said that mental health legislation can provide a legal framework for addressing critical issues such as the community integration of persons with mental disorders, the provision of high quality care , the improvement of access to care, the protection of civil rights , the protection of emotional rights and other critical areas such as housing , education and employment. Dr. Joseph told those in attendance that their participation in this forum was indicative of how their view mental illness in Antigua and Barbuda. “Your presence here today shows your commitment to making a positive impact on the protection, provision of care and the conservation of dignity for those who suffer with mental health disorders”, Dr. Joseph declared. PAHO’s Country Programme Specialist Reynold Hewitt told the meeting that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was pleased to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and the Environment in the area of mental health and more so the strengthening of mental health resources. Hewitt said the forum was also another demonstration of the close working relation that exists between the government of Antigua and Barbuda and PAHO. “We believe in working with member states to help them achieve their objectives in providing quality health care for the population. In 2014, we worked with the Ministry of Health to develop an action plan policy and today, we are completing another phase in the action plan that is a national mental health act. We will like to know that all activities in the action plan are utilized to help individuals who have mental disorders and are affected by mental illness so that they can recover to normalcy”, Hewitt remarked. Hewitt said the development and passing of the mental health act will increase management of all psychiatric patients in Antigua and Barbuda. “So as we discuss today this important legislation, it is my hope that we will be in a better position to ensure that this legislation is enacted and enforced to provide quality care for persons who are affected by mental illness”, Hewitt remarked. Permanent Secretary in the Miniscont’d on pg 9
Friday 15th July 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 9 cont’d from pg 8 try of Health and the Environment Walter Christopher said that the World Health Organization estimates that 154 million persons across the globe suffer from depression, 25 million from Schizophrenia, 91 million persons are affected by alcohol use disorders and 15 million by drug use disorders. He said additionally, as many as 50 million persons suffer from Epilepsy , 24 million from Alzheimer’s and every year there are about a million suicides occur across the world. Walter said it is important to note that many citizens here in Antigua and Barbuda are included in the millions of persons worldwide who are affected by mental illness. P.S Christopher underscored the importance of mental health legislation. “Mental health policies and laws are absent or inadequate in most countries, yet they are critical to improving conditions for people with mental disabilities”, the P.S Emphasized. He continued, “in fact we are facing a global human rights emergency in mental health. “All over the world, people with mental disabilities are facing a wide range of human rights violations. However the Minister and the Ministry of Health deem it a priority to establish a modern administrative and legal framework to protect our people; hence the Mental Health Reform Initiative which was developed to ensure fair treatment, combat stigma and support knowledge exchange.” Christopher said that the act seeks to provide essentially for the treatment, care, support and protection of people who have a mental illness and also to provide for the protection of the rights of people who have a mental illness. He noted that although much has done, there is still much more to be achieved especially in the area of stigma and discrimination. “I am most proud with what we have accomplished thus far, we have accomplished the mental health policy which has been ratified, there are activities under the mental health action plan that are being developed and the Mental Health and Psychosocial support in disaster and emergency plan is in draft form. Despite significant accomplishment, there is still much more to be achieved. We need to break down stigma and discrimination”, the P.S remarked. Among the topics addressed during the workshop were admission, treatment and discharge of patients. The public psychiatric hospital, community mental service, the mental health review board, protection of property patients and the way forward were also examined. ATTENTION ALL EMPLOYERS AND SELF EMPLOYED PERSONS The Antigua & Barbuda Social Security Board (ABSSB) advises of its intent to commence criminal prosecution on ALL non-compliant employers and self employed persons. To this end, all employers and self employed persons, who are in breach of their statutory obligation to Social Security, are strongly urged to contact the Social Security office to regularize their status between June 1, 2016 and August 31, 2016. The ABSSB wishes to commend all employers and self employed persons who have consistently complied with their statutory obligation and encourages all employers and self employed persons to ensure that moving forward every attempt will be made to adhere to their Social Security obligations.
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Caribbean Times 52nd Issue - Friday 15th July 2016

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