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By Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) have launched the Mental Health Services System Enhancement Project. The project aims to improve mental health services in the Commonwealth by addressing gaps in the prevention, screening, early detection and treatment of mental illnesses such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
The agreement was signed by Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Dr. Terrence Drew, and Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Lin Ming-che. The three-year project aims to strengthen mental health care in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Project goals and strategies
The Mental Health Services System Strengthening Project focuses on four main goals:
Policy development: Improve capacity for policy development for mental health prevention and control.
Capacity Building: Strengthening the skills of healthcare personnel through local and on-site training in Taiwan.
Improvement of medical facilities: Upgrading mental health services in medical institutions.
Public Awareness: Raise public awareness about mental health disorders.
Ambassador Lin stressed the connection between physical and mental health and emphasized the importance of the education component of the program. “A society with good mental health education will encourage people to reach out and seek help when they need it,” he said.
Government’s commitment and vision
The Prime Minister noted that the project was important given the increasing number of mental health diagnoses, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Drew mentioned the Government’s ongoing investment in mental health services, including hiring more psychologists and family counsellors.
Project implementation and duration
The Mental Health Service System Enhancement Program, supported by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), will run until July 2027. This is the third health initiative supported by ICDF in St. Kitts and Nevis, following the Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Chronic Metabolic Disease Control Project.
The collaboration aims to improve mental health care in St. Kitts and Nevis and raise public awareness of mental health issues.
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