Clarevue Head Stresses Mental Health Strategy

Details

You & Your Family

Friday, 20 April 2012 02:30

By press release

Antigua St John's - Just as physical health is important, so too is good mental health, according to Superintendant of Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital and Coordinator of the National Mental Health Reform Initiative Clarence E Pilgrim.

Pilgrim noted that hundreds of Antiguans suffer with various types of mental illness and health problems such as depression, stress, addiction to drugs and alcohol, and personality disorders.

These mental illness and psychological disorders have good options both privately and otherwise, with medications, psychotherapy, or other treatments available.

However, Pilgrim suggested that the number of potential sufferers can be greatly reduced if people begin good mental health practices from infancy. He said although many parents do not actively think about their infants' mental health needs, most do an effective job of meeting them simply by showing their children love and attention.

Molwyn Takes up Cell Tower Issue Antigua St. John's - Senior Member of the Antigua Labour Party (ALP) and Member of Parliament in St. Mary's North Molwyn Joseph has taken up the proli... read more

According to Pilgrim, there are many challenges during infancy, such as the development of trust, and growing from a totally dependent infant into a less dependent, well-adjusted toddler.

He suggested that infants with good mental health are better equipped to reach their physical and intellectual developmental goals.

Pilgrim also suggested that some of the socially deviant behaviour involving crime and violence may have had its origins in poor mental health practices from as early as infancy, which have led to the development of a mal-adjusted individual.

He added that each individual and family should have a mental wellness plan, which should contain pre-planned activities to positively stimulate and exercise the mind, and re-enforce those values which add to one’s personal development and the building of necessary worthy social structures.

• < Prev
• Next >