Public urged to report relapsed mental health patients

While the mobile mental health units are back in operation after challenges brought by Hurricane Melissa, Jamaicans are being urged to report known patients who may be 'acting out'.

The caution comes from Dr Kevin Goulbourne, director of mental health and substance abuse services at the health ministry.

"We have a helpline that they can call which is available 24/7, seven days per week - 1888-NewLife - and tell them if they know of someone that would have missed an appointment and they are concerned the person has relapsed. The person will reach out to the team member and notify them about that particular case and they will respond to the situation." Goulbourne told THE STAR. "They can reach out to the hospital, too, which is an easier way to get information to a contact person."

Following the widespread displacement caused by the hurricane, Goulbourne noted that community-based mental health services were temporarily disrupted.

"There were some hiccups initially with transportation, but they (staff) made efforts to provide community-based services. Can't say how long that lasted for, but now persons are coming back to clinics and they would have been picking up now," he said. Goulbourne could not provide specific figures on the number of mobile mental health units that are fully functional. However, he explained that during the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, health personnel used their personal vehicles to get to patients.

"They didn't want the person to relapse and end up in hospital, so they did home visits for persons who either missed the appointment or regularly would have been in the community receiving treatment," he said.

Goulbourne urged the public to avoid confronting individuals who have relapsed and may exhibit erratic behaviour.

"Don't get confrontational with them or angry with them or even try to coerce them. When you use aggressive terms with them, it may cause more of a conflict. So, call the mental health team or the police, because the police are also trained to deal with them under the Mental Health Act," he said.

The act outlines directives for the police to protect persons of unsound mind, to accompany them to hospital or make arrangements for a mental health officer to assess their condition if they are in custody. However, it also allows for the apprehension of individuals who may be a danger to themselves or society, and provides for the provision of housing and care for the mentally ill.