by Nakary Williams
The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the livelihood of most Grenadians.
The socio-economic implications are often at the forefront of government and public discussions; however, minimal emphasis is being placed on mental health. Left unresolved, debilitating mental health conditions, such a depression, can lead to a reduction in workplace productivity and becomes a contributing factor to other psycho-social issues (American Psychiatric Association, 2020; WHO, 2020).
A 2020 report published by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), highlighted Mental, Neurological, Substance Use Disorders and Suicide (MNSS)Â as being responsible for 15% of all disability within the tri-island state. The report also addressed the unsettling fact that men are more likely to suffer from alcoholism, self-harm and suicide, whereas women are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety disorders (PAHO, 2020).
These sobering statistics are not exclusive to Grenada. Concerns centred on the pandemic’s mental health and psychosocial implications were raised in a 2020 report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is hypothesised that self-isolation and quarantine have had a negative impact on people’s normal routines and occupations, which has led to an increase in suicidal behaviour, depression, insomnia, loneliness, anxiety, self-harm and dangerous alcohol and drug use (World Health Organisation, 2020, as cited in Kumar & Nayar, 2020).
Since the pandemic has exacerbated these mental health issues, there exists the possibility of long-term consequences (Kumar & Nayar, 2020). Though Grenada’s Ministry of Health claims to provide a comprehensive mental health service, inclusive of commendable initiatives such as treatment and rehabilitation, counseling and recreation therapy, community clinics and home visits, these services are not widely publicised to Grenadians and remain relatively obscure.
More can be done by citizens, the Ministry of Health and mental health practitioners to bring increased awareness to these programmes and incentivise the public, especially those living with pre-existing mental health disorders, to utilise them. This initiative can be accomplished through use of the media, campaigns, word of mouth and by incorporating mental health discussions and learning material within the primary and secondary school curricula.
Kumar, A., & Nayar, K. R. (2021). COVID 19 and its mental health consequences. Retrieved November 17, 2021, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638237.2020.1757052
Mental Health Country Profile – Grenada. PAHO/WHO | Pan American Health Organization. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2021, from https://www.paho.org/sites/default/files/2020-09/MentalHealth-profile-2020%20Grenada_Country_Report_Final.pdf
Mental Health Division. gov. (n.d). Retrieved November 17, 2021, from https://gov.gd/moh/mental-health-division.
What Employers Need to Know About Mental Health in the Workplace. (2021, September 1). McLean Hospital. Retrieved November 17, 2021, from https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/what-employers-need-know-about-mental-health-workplace