Health Minister Julius Timothy said the Government of Dominica is committed to ensuring further improvements is made to the Mental Health Programme.
Timothy was addressing the official contract-signing ceremony for the construction of a building to accommodate a psychodrama, psychotherapy and occupational therapy activities at the Princess Margret Hospital on Friday morning.
The project, which is costing some US$94,450, is being funded by the Government of Japan.
“Gone are the days when mental health was practiced within the context of institutionalization, alienation and discrimination. Through public health education, our society is gaining greater incite in the cause and treatment of mental illness. Hence more people are showing a greater level of respect to persons who suffer from mental illness,” he added.
Timothy said mental health is a priority area for the Ministry of Health.
“Just last year, the Ministry of Health was able to complete a process that saw the formulation of the first Mental Health Policy. The final draft is being reviewed to make it a truly people’s Mental Health Policy in Dominica, and will shortly be submitted to Cabinet,” he said.
According to Timothy, Government is fully committed to reorganizing the Mental Health Program.
He said mental health is now being seen as the area of health that concerns everyone in the population and government is committed at ensuring that the mental health services move to the next level with the other areas of the health sector.
He noted that the new project is testimony of the government’s belief that those who are mentally ill must be rehabilitated for optimum functionality in the society.
“While pharmacological treatment is necessary, efforts at cognitive restructuring and social integration is paramount to the patient well being,” Timothy said.
Project Coordinator Dave Laudat, in delivering remarks at the ceremony, noted that the project will concentrate on the area of treatment.
“The building will facilitate activities such as music, dance, drama, individual and group counseling, art, craft, cooking, baking, sports and remedial education,” he said.
The Counselor of the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad of Dominica Kiyoshi Takeuchi signed on behalf of his government.
He said both governments will work together to ensure the completion of the project in an opportune time.
The project also allows for the purchase of a cooking stove and refrigeration, a therapist office, storage room and other area.
– DNO Correspondent
A really brilliant direction for Dominica!
Dominica cares about the well-being of all their citizens!
I work in the field of mental health and I must say that this service is much needed back home. Good going Mr. Timothy. I hope one day to return home to work with my own people.
Good work done by the minister and ministry of health. Timothy is the best man of experience in Gov to head this important ministry
i agree wit mr timothy!!!!
CI, I want to say that your comment is well taken.
Thank you, OOS, we all stand to reap the benefits of a much healthier and caring society… whether it be mental or physical.
Well done to the people of dominica.
Finally I can go and take a proper little vacation when de thing take me…now my only concern is dat injection they giving us up there when they want to cool down our tempo…….. already I doh like the food up there, the last time they give me that injection my whole right side couldn’t move and I was just hearing bell ringing and dog barking everywhere I go….I see is japan that funding it, I hope dat doh mean we have to vote to hunt whale? Because whale is my good friend…..my good good friend.
Boy…….. Julie looking like our next Prime Minister eh!!!
Hahaha. Hmmmmm. Dat’s our boy right der!
This is great news for a well needed facility. A mental health program will certainly benefit our individual communities and Dominica as a whole. Mental health is a disease which can affect any one, at any given time, because it can be genetic or environmental. By educating ourselves about the disease and respecting the individuals who are currently affected, the chances of them feeling alienated or discriminated against will be far less, than it is at the moment.
These people are our family members (mother, father, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends) who live among us and should be a valuable asset to society, as much as they possibly can. Again, this facility is long overdue – but comes at a time when it is desperately needed – so let the building process begin.
I totally agree with you!!! Thumbs up!!! As someone who intends on extending my degree in Psychology this could actually be a way for me to help enhance my knowledge and develop my country as a whole!!!
Finally we will be able to get help for all those married men, including government ministers, and CEOs who have their wives yet have girlfriends all over the place in full glare of the public. Congrats Julie on getting this help for Dominicans, especially Dominica’s men of power.