Mental Health: A Challenge or An Opportunity?

Part 2

By Novelette Morton

“There is no normal life that is free of pain. It’s the very wrestling with our problems that can be the impetus for our growth”

Fred Rogers

Introduction

Healing and hope are available to people who face mental health challenges.

Part 1 of the series of articles on Mental Health defined the subject, discussed causes of mental illness, the resources available in St. Kitts and ways to change some of the perceptions of mental health. Now, Part 2 addresses signs and symptoms of mental health, some key reasons for stigmatisation, treatment options and coping skills, as well as measures the Ministry of Health has adopted to deal with Mental Health.

This article highlights the seriousness of the issue and shows how common the problem is. A search on Google for leaders who have faced mental health challenges and crises at some point in their lives revealed that outstanding individuals have experienced various forms of mental illness. Individuals like the great physicist, Sir Isaac Newton suffered from manic depression and bipolar disorder; Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States from March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865 when he was assassinated, also suffered from depression; Michele Obama the former First Lady of the United States, indicated that she was diagnosed with “low-grade depression” in 2020 and attributed it to the COVID-19 pandemic, racial tensions in the USA and the political turmoil that surrounded it all, as well as Oprah Winfrey who had a life of “ups” and “downs” also mentioned that she suffered from depression, albeit for a fairly short period of time. (www.xmonks.com) It is clear that recovery and restoration are possible for people suffering from mental health illnesses.

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Illness

Varying signs and symptoms are experienced by individuals facing mental health challenges. There may be several combined symptoms; they may be sustained for an extended period or individuals may experience a sudden crash. The list below is not exhaustive but it highlights some of the general signs of the illness.

Feeling sad and down, even experiencing suicidal thoughts
Feelings of anxiety over a period of time
Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
Excessive fears or worries or extreme feelings of guilt
Hallucinations and delusions
Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
Substance abuse of drugs and alcohol
Withdrawal from family, friends and activities
Lack of self-care

Reasons for Stigmatisation

People are often described as crazy or strange by members of the community and demon-possessed in some religious circles. A story is told of a student from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) who came to St. Kitts to study medicine. She began hallucinating, became withdrawn, stopped attending classes and failed to take care of herself”. When her mother was contacted about the need for professional help for her daughter, the mother said she would pray the demons out of her. Needless to say, the daughter was unable to cope and had to leave St. Kitts. Did she complete her degree and become a doctor?

A university student gave her opinion about stigmatisation, mentioning that the story of the two demoniacs in Matthew 8: 28–34, has led many persons to associate mental illness with being demon-possessed. She added that when people are faced with things they do not understand, they react with fear. She also suggested that there is not enough knowledge about mental health for laymen.

Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sharon Archibald says that one of the main reasons for stigmatisation results from the fact that many people are required to take medication to manage their illnesses. However, she added that if individuals are diabetic or hypertensive, they often have to take medication as well. What is the difference?

Culturally, people prefer to use bush medicine or natural concoctions and or spiritual practices to treat illnesses and it is for that reason that persons shy away from taking medication for their mental illness, even though it may be the best course of action.

Moreover, homelessness and drug abuse are often scorned, but in several cases, homeless persons and drug addicts are mentally ill. Due to stigmatisation, lack of family support, compassion and empathy, these individuals continue in a downward spiral, often not being able to recover. Government needs to provide more treatment and assistance for these persons, many of whom cannot help themselves. Appeals should be made to families to become involved and point victims toward expert care.

Treatment Options and Coping Skills

Early intervention is key to the recovery of individuals. (www.maine.gov) Recovery is a journey and takes time, energy and work. Anglican Priest, Rev. Darren Carlos says, “Relatives, confidants and colleagues must recognise when intervention is necessary and seek to assist with finding requisite care.”

Senior Judge for St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Mr. Justice Iain Morley KC says, “Teachers and employers should be sensitive to signs so that folk with challenges and their families, can be alerted for referral.”

Persons who are ill need to be closely monitored to ensure that they are receiving adequate care. Oftentimes, patients require medication and counselling to recover. Combining both medication and talk therapy has proved to be the best strategy for healing. (www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness)

Dr. Archibald states that older antipsychotic drugs have more side effects than modern-day drugs and that at the clinics and at the Dr. Arthur Lake Mental Health Day Treatment Centre, patients are encouraged to inform their healthcare professionals about how they are feeling so that the “right medication protocol” can be administered. She also indicated that treatment is done on an individual basis as well as with the patient’s family.

Stress management is essential. Listed below are some of the coping skills required for recovery. (www.rosehillcenter.org/mental-health-blog)

Removing oneself from the stressful situation
Utilising relaxation techniques such as meditation and mindfulness
Eating a balanced diet and exercising
Staying connected with family and friends
Practising time management and problem-solving skills
Establishing healthy boundaries
Journalling or engaging in a hobby
Practising self-care
Getting outside in nature
Doing things that make one feel good

The Work of the Ministry of Health

According to Dr. Archibald, The Ministry of Health partners with organisations such as the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the St. Kitts Mental Health Association, its own Health Promotion Unit and the Embassy of the Republic of China on Taiwan to promote greater awareness of mental health. It also participates in regional meetings to discuss critical health issues including mental health. The Permanent Secretary highlights some of the Ministry’s plans which include introduction of the subject in schools as it is imperative to educate the youth, and the creation of more Public Service Announcements (PSA’s) so that people can become more aware of the problem. Education has to occur across one’s life span as physiological and chemical changes can affect individuals at any point in time.

Conclusion

In brief, individuals, families communities and policymakers play a key role in determining not just the physical health of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, but also their mental wellness. Strength is derived through synergistic actions!

There is no shame in having a mental illness. There is no shame in accessing the services of a psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor. There is no shame in speaking openly about mental health. This quote by Germany Kent captures the essence of this article.

“Be dedicated to (changing) the way in which people see mental illness at all levels of society. If not for yourself, advocate for those who are struggling in silence.”

Should persons need assistance, they can contact the St. Kitts Counselling Services at 869-668-4646, the National Counselling Centre at 869-465-5000, the Joseph N. France General Hospital at 869-465-2551, The St. Kitts-Nevis Council for Drug Abuse Prevention at 869-662-3938 or they can access online services such as www.betterhelp.com.

The next article in this series will highlight the experiences of individuals living with mental illnesses.