The Mental Health Strategic Plan (MHSP) FINAL DRAFT (2018-2023) was shared with the STRiDE Jamaica team by the Director, Mental Health Unit, Ministry of Health, and Wellness, in May 2019, prior to its public dissemination. Until it is published, or permission is given by the ministry to represent here, this information is embargoed until further notice.

Nevertheless, at the press launch of the ADI 2019 Caribbean Regional Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, in November 2019, the Director of the Mental Health Unit, Ministry of Health, and Wellness, announced that this strategic plan is due to be in cabinet by 2020 and will be made publicly shortly. The director shared that one of the dementia-specific issues addressed within the plan is the need for more public education programmes, including on how to detect dementia and improving the training of health workers in the early recognition and treatment of dementia. The plan will also address improved training and support of caregivers and options for rehabilitation of patients, which, though not dementia specific, has the capacity to support caregivers of persons with dementia.

He also indicated that the Mental Health Unit has re-organised and expanded its services. One example is a new campaign titled ‘Speak Up, Speak Now,’ aimed at reducing stigma, which was launched on World Mental Health Day in 2019. The campaign is supported by a new Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Hotline.