Saphire Longmore | Play as a power tool against violence

There is commonality with most if not all people, of a wish for this country and its people to manifest our blessing of being Jamaican. I think few would doubt the overt hindrance to this manifestation that violence has in our society, which, unfortunately, has become a part of our identity. Solutions must be sought.

Like any chronic illness that has an acute exacerbation that is life-threatening, there must be a response that not only addresses the immediate threat to life, but also medium-term solutions to maintain the stabilisation brought on by the emergency intervention, and also long-term strategies, to address the chronicity of the causation of the problem; follow up rehabilitation, as needed; and lastly, sustained prevention and the maintenance of a healthy state of existence to best prevent recurrence. These are the dimensions of a clinical approach to a life-threatening condition of ill health that has underlying chronicity, with the causation that is not immediate and mostly preventable.

With this appreciation, more and more, crime and violence is being seen as a public health issue and not necessarily only one of security, justice or education. Running with this premise, let us further disaggregate health into its four fundamental dimensions necessary for one to be considered as holistically healthy. These being physical health, mental health, social health and spiritual health.

Solutions to this public health crisis must therefore consider all four established health foci. There are obvious efforts at addressing our physical ill health, there is growing awareness and strategies for our mental wellness; social health has its own focus of development, as can be evidenced with Project STAR. We are now seeing growing appreciation to enable the spiritual well-being of our people, the most fundamental aspect of health that seeks to provide the foundation of all else, and, I dare say, has been a forgotten focus in our healthcare delivery system.

REMEDIES AND NURTURES

Would it not be wonderful if we could address all four aspects of this health crisis called violence, with a method that remedies and nurtures development of individuals, families, communities and the nation all at the same time? A tool that is relatively cheap, appeals to all, and can be easily applied.

Drum roll, please, as I say simply, might I suggest play?

‘Play’ is defined as ‘engaging in an activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose’; and if we really think of it, when we play, we practise all four dimensions of health – physical, mental, social, and yes, spiritual. We physically exert, we mental apply, we socially engage, and we spiritually gain a sense of who we are, self-worth and value. We gain that of others we engage in a space greater than our own minds and the environment in which we play.

The importance of play in the healthcare and productivity of people is gaining more and more recognition, as it has been applied in a therapeutic setting in many avenues. We are seeing it applied in many established methods of mental, physical and social health programmes, more and more workplace recreation zones; shortened workweeks to allow for downtime; in supported family time; increased vacationing – usually, all reflect on measures and avenues that lead to play in its varied forms. Societies where such is practised tend to be less violent; these people tend to be happier and more productive. The impetus to play should be at all ages, baby play, child play, teen play, adult play, elderly play, with policies and programmes to support such. This engagement being pursued with legislative and economic support, fostered in public and private sectors, and supported by the diaspora.

CENTRED AROUND PLAY

My 2023 dream and prescription is one centred around play. It is certainly not the only solution to our multifaceted societal ills. In addition to seeing to the best holistic development of our people, if we are to consider stemming the generational cycles of trauma, helping the individually abused child, fixing families, regenerating communities and instilling national pride, what better way than to play at those levels. Can we flood the place with toys, with board games, with community workout zones, basketball courts, tennis courts, pools, dance floors, dominoes?

Can we use play, as a power tool in the toolbox, against violence? As part of our emergency responses can we, in addition to an influx of guns and boots to the people we seek to protect, can we seek to enable their health, happiness and rehabilitation through play? Can we see a coordinated effort that has the diaspora supporting the influx of toys, diaspora-funded community leagues? When we distribute laptops, might we offer tablets with our approval, preloaded games that enhance our children’s development? Can we spread laughter as the best medicine?

In the toolbox for fighting crime and violence – the immediate solutions of emergency responses that are sometimes required, the medium-term fixes of improving childcare and development, education, employment and retirement planning – let us recognise the power tool that play can be in the toolbox. A tool that is simple in its approach, cost- effective in its implementation, and could be quite evident in its returns.

Dr Saphire Longmore is a government senator and president of the Jamaica Psychiatric Association. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.