In a bid to address the worsening mental health crisis in the Caribbean, Dr. Amon Harewood, a Trinidadian counselling psychologist, recently led a seminar in Dominica focused on the critical need for counselling within both the church and the broader community. Dr. Harewood expressed deep concern about the alarming trend in which individuals often seek professional help only after reaching a point of severe mental illness, sometimes beyond the possibility of restoration.
“A lot of people come to church…not just to learn about the Bible. They come because they need help and we must be able to help them. That help must not only be at the spiritual realm. It must be holistic,” Dr. Harewood stated, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to mental health care.
Dr. Harewood pointed to several factors contributing to the decline in mental health, including the breakdown of family structures, the absence of fathers in the home, weakened economies, and the pervasive use of cellphones and social media. He also cited the Covid-19 pandemic and the devastation caused by major hurricanes as significant catalysts for mental health deterioration among Caribbean populations.
“All these issues tend to target the home. The homes become like the breeding ground of all the ills of our society… and what has significantly increased is child abuse,” he remarked. He warned that the consequences of these challenges manifest in increased deviance, crime, and illicit drug use.
Reflecting on societal changes, Dr. Harewood noted, “There were times before when homes had some level of stability because there was a level of discipline. There was a level of respect and families were more together. But today, you are not finding families together.” He shared troubling findings from a survey he conducted two to three years ago in Trinidad, revealing that none of the fifty homes surveyed had both a mother and a father present.
Dr. Harewood identified cultural differences in family dynamics, stating, “It has a racial slant too because the Africans are less interested in family life than the Indians in Trinidad. Indians would have a larger family and they would respect their own children to an extent. They will look after their children whether they are married or ‘shacked up.’” He contrasted this with the situation among some African families, where he noted, “I work with children, and a lot of times, one family may have five children with four different fathers.”
The seminar, held from January 1-3, 2025, among members of the Dominica Assemblies of Brethren churches, aimed to equip church leaders and interested participants with foundational skills to identify mental health issues and provide necessary support to those in need. Despite acknowledging that the training was limited, Dr. Harewood considered it a significant step toward addressing mental health concerns and enhancing the well-being of both church members and the wider community.
Looking ahead, he expressed hope for future sessions that could extend their reach to teachers and other public and private sector employees. “We and my colleagues would be available to return to Dominica upon invitation to provide additional training,” he stated.
Dr. Harewood highlighted that while it typically takes four to six years to gain professional counselling qualifications, the training provided could foster local experience and enable churches to appoint lay counsellors. This, he believes, would help create a healthier congregation and, by extension, a healthier society.
While acknowledging that some cases may necessitate professional intervention, Dr. Harewood’s team is ready to assist through live Zoom therapy sessions for clients overseas. He operates at the Phileocare Family Life Center in Tunupuna, Trinidad, which specializes in providing free biblical counselling to the public. This approach integrates solutions based on biblical principles, distinguishing it from secular counselling.
“Notwithstanding our focus on biblical therapy, we do not discuss religion or delve into differences in church doctrinal beliefs with clients, but instead engage them in a professional manner,” Dr. Harewood explained. He believes that biblical counselling can effectively address core issues, while also recognizing the value of secular counselling.
Regarding confidentiality, Dr. Harewood assures potential clients that his center has a solid track record. Clients are required to sign a consent form that confirms their acceptance of biblical counselling and includes a confidentiality clause.
Dr. Harewood is well-qualified in his field, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Psychology and Counseling, a Master of Arts in Psychology and Counseling (Hons) from the Caribbean Nazarene College, and a Doctorate in Theology and Christian counseling (Hons.) from the Caribbean College of the Bible International. He serves as a therapist to individuals, couples, and families at the Phileocare Family Life Centre.
The seminar was organized by the Dominica Assembly of Brethren’s branches in Salisbury, Roseau, Laudat, Petite Savanne/Bellevue, and Cochrane, and convened at the Roseau Gospel Hall, marking a proactive step towards addressing the mental health challenges facing the Caribbean region.
Conclusion:
Regarding prenatal damage; some evidence suggest that a disruption of early fetal brain development or trauma that occurs at the time of birth, such as loss of oxygen to the brain may play a part in certain conditions, as autism spectrum disorder.
Finally, long-term substance abuse, has been linked to anxiety, depression, and paranoia! Sir, while you emphasized religion “the Church” in case you do not know, when Jesus was on earth, religion existed; nevertheless, there were mentally ill people on earth, some dominated by demons, and evil sprits that were driven out by Jesus. In this day, it may not be demons, but people born with chemical imbalances in their brain; so you tell me, if these people are not medically treated how can the Church, which is defined as a body, or group of people cure mental illness?
If someone is simply psychologically depressed going to Church and praying might help, but if it a chemical imbalance that is a different situation.
Continue.
Mental illness likely comes from the interaction of multiple genes, and other factures – such as abuse, or some traumatic event which can influence, or trigger an illness in a person who has inherited likeliness to have it.
Also certain infections have been linked to brain damage, and the development of mental illness, or the worsening of its symptoms: i.e., a condition recognized as pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder:——— associated with the ————— bacteria has been linked to the development of obsessive compulsive disorder and other mental illnesses in children (I omitted information in the blank spaces). Brain defects or injury to certain areas of the brain have also been linked to some mental illnesses. Regarding prenatal damage; some evidence suggest that a disruption of early fetal brain development or trauma that occurs at the time birth, such as loss of oxygen to the brain may play a part in certain conditions, as autism spectrum
Amon, perhaps you need some psychiatric attention, regarding your psychiatric wellness! If you are a medical doctor, in the practice of psychiatric medicine, perhaps you should stick to that and not focus on the Church involvement! If you are a medical doctor, your first thought should be to focus on genetics (heredity) mental illnesses; meaning that people who have family members with a mental illness may be somehow more likely to have the illness themselves; as such susceptibility is passed on in families via genes! Health science professionals believe that many mental illnesses are linked to abnormalities in many genes, rather than just one or a few, and how the genes interact with the environment is unique for each person; even identical twins. For this reason a person inherits an likeliness to have a mental illness; however, doesn’t necessarily get the illness.
Mental illness likely comes from the interaction of multiple genes, and other factures:
Will continue.
i do NOT like stinky guy
The church has been along useless, it will fail us every time. Same effect as a weakened economy. What we really need is wholistic nutrition. People are wising up to what the church represent, is really about and who’s behind it. It’s ugly when you peel the layers of madness 😠