Clarendon Festival Queen launches mental health programme

Inspired by her own battles with anxiety, and the mandate given to her as the Clarendon Festival Queen, Kimone Rose has launched ‘Think Mental Health Ja’.

Rose, the 2018 JCDC Clarendon Festival Queen, had the vision to reach residents of rural Jamaica, starting with Clarendon. The launch is the first step in an eight-month process, aimed at promoting mental health and well-being, destigmatising mental health issues, providing help where possible, and addressing factors which affect mental health.

“Think Mental Health Ja will encourage empathy, self-care and help-seeking habits, while making social support and intervention possible,” Rose said in her address at the launch, held on January 26 at the White Haven Guest House in Crofts Hill, Clarendon.

According to Rose, the rural parts of Jamaica are not engaged in the national conversation about mental health and as a result, the first phase of the project will focus on reaching youth and adults between the ages of 15 and 45 years old from Crofts Hill and Kellits in Clarendon, between February and September 2019.

“The programme will engage residents in a range of activities such as focus group discussions, school tours, workshops and art therapy sessions,” Rose explained. “There will also be a 10-part online video series to bring the conversation from the community level into the national space,” she stated.

The launch was well supported by residents of the communities as well as other stakeholders, such as the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, Kellits High School, the United Communities Association, the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network and the Chosen Stars Foundation.

THE SUPPORT

During her address, Rose stated, “Through the support of this amazing team and partnerships with the relevant organisations and individuals, I sincerely hope to bridge the gap and fulfil the purpose of this initiative.” She further added that Think Mental Health Ja wants to raise $1 million to facilitate the execution of the programme.

Members of the public are invited to learn more about Think Mental Health Ja by following their social media account @thinkmentalhealth.ja on Instagram and by attending the engagement sessions to be held over the next eight months. Email: thinkmentalhealthja@gmail.com or telephone (876) 505-3394.