The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is currently strengthening its psychosocial efforts to meet the growing needs of persons affected by the horrific incident in Owia on Monday.
The Ministry says its main focus now is, therefore, on counseling. As a consequence, arrangements have been made and all affected persons will benefit from the intervention of 3 psychologists who are expected to arrive here over the next few days
From Barbados, psychologists Dr. Michael Campbell and Rev’d Dr. Marcus Lashley will arrive here to offer their expertise in trauma and grief therapy. Dr. Claudius Davis, a Vincentian psychologist practicing in New York, USA, will arrive here today to also lend his expertise.
The Ministry says, through strong partnership and collaborative efforts, the Ministries of Health, Education and Mobilization are working together to effectively meet the psycho-social needs following the incident.
Kathleen Jeffers, Education Officer in the Ministry of Education in the area of Counselling, is responsible for mobilizing counselors trained in trauma and response management to go out into the communities and schools to offer their services to those who require the service.
A crisis centre has been set up in Fancy at the Seventh Day Adventist Church to complement the one opened in Owia immediately after the tragedy. Health Psychologist in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jozelle Miller says 3 students were expected to be discharged from the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on Thursday,. However, owing to the children’s fears, they are being held for further counseling and observation.
Dr. Miller is appealing to persons who are unable to cope to try to seek help wherever possible. She says help can be obtained at all health centers or any crisis center existing at the moment.
