Consultant psychiatrist and therapist, Professor Wendel Abel, says the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues among Jamaica’s children.
As we hear in this report from Shaloy Smikle, Professor Able says the problem isn’t unique to Jamaica.
Speaking on Nationwide This Morning, Professor Abel, says although children have always experienced mental health problems, the pandemic has served to shine a brighter light on the gravity of the situation facing Jamaica’s children.
Last week, the children’s help line, SafeSpot, reported that among the more than 2,000 children and teenagers who reached out to the network in the past year, many had suicidal thoughts.
Professor Abel says thoughts of self harm have increased since the start of the pandemic.
He’s calling on parents to listen to their children when they complain about mental health issues.
