Kingston, Jamaica. Wednesday, February 28, 2024: The Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation in Kingston is the latest institution to benefit from the ‘Wellness Check-In’ intervention of the Ministry of Health & Wellness, done in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth.
The visit, organised earlier today, was conducted as part of the ongoing #DoYourShare mental wellness campaign and in line with the School Mental Health Literacy Programme.
It saw the participation of the Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton and the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, as well as members of the national mental health team who all provided words of inspiration for the teens while also sharing tips and information about available mental wellness resources.
Those resources include the Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Helpline, 888-NEW-LIFE (888-639-5433) and the U-Matter Chatline that can be accessed by texting the word SUPPORT to 876-838-4897.
Photo 2: Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness and the Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports share a light moment on the Wellness Bench with students from the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation (WCJF). The WCJF received the donation of a Wellness Bench from the Ministry of Health & Wellness during a Wellness Check-In intervention at the institution on Wednesday, February 28. The Check-In was done as part of the ongoing #DoYourShare mental health campaign and in line with the School Mental Health Literacy programme.
The visit also saw the donation and unveiling of a ‘Wellness Bench’, a symbol for the creation and maintenance of safe spaces for persons to share or otherwise access resources in support of their mental wellness.
At the WCJF, the ‘Wellness Bench’ is where youngsters can enjoy some time out or otherwise engage with someone they feel comfortable talking to if they are experiencing emotional or other challenges.
“We believe in this programme. It is a national one and should engage the nation,” Noted Dr. Tufton.
“It is about how we help each other to overcome the stresses we face in life,” he added, while encouraging private sector stakeholders to collaborate with the Ministry in making more ‘Wellness Benches’ available in different spaces islandwide – from schools to communities and workplaces.
The Minister has also given the undertaking to see to the installation of a ‘Wellness Bench’ at each of the 10 sites of the WCJF.
The WCJF, established in 1978 in response to the high level of teenage pregnancy experienced by the country, has as its mandate to provide adolescent mothers with continuing education during their pregnancy and have them reintegrated into the formal school system after the birth of their babies.
The organisation operates as a Limited Liability Company under the auspices of a government ministry, presently the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.