Juveniles in Jamaica’s correctional system are on the brink of a mental health crisis. This is the word according to a recently released report from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

The brimming health crisis is the result of inadequate staffing to cater to the mental health needs of the juveniles who reside in the country’s correctional centres.

The report informed that, at present, the correctional centres have only two full-time psychologists on staff and two engaged on a sessional basis.

While the centres do not have any full-time psychiatrists on staff, two have been engaged on a sessional basis to provide counselling to the approximate 200 children correctional service population.

With limited human resources in the form of psychiatrists at its disposal and a primary job function of preparing reports for the Children’s Courts, the DCS report noted, there is “little time to deal with the children while they are in custody…”.

The report added that many of these “children present with different types and levels of mental illnesses including bipolar disorder, sleeping disorder, depression and suicide ideation.

“Some have attempted to harm themselves and others, most are subject to some form of sexual, physical or verbal abuse prior to admission.”

Issues surrounding the mental wellness of the juveniles are further compounded by the fact that “many of the child perpetrators are themselves, victims of crime, at the same time and many would have experienced the loss of loved ones and have witnessed person(s) being killed”.

In light of this, the Department of Correctional Services has stated that there is a great need to improve the focus placed on the mental health of wards.

“There is a need for child and adolescence psychiatrists as well as additional psychologists dedicated to serving the children so that diagnosis can be made on a timely basis and treatment sustained,” stated the DCS report.