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Restaurants of Jamaica, through their flagship brand KFC, has reaffirmed their commitment to the nation’s youth, through a $1 million contribution to Child Month 2026, aligning with this year’s focus on protecting the mental well-being of the nation’s children.

Held under the theme “Prioritise Our Children’s Mental Health: Safer Minds, Safer Future,” the launch brought attention to the need for stronger support systems for children and the shared responsibility to put them in place.

“Having been a National Child Month programme partner for several years, we made a conscious decision to return this year because of what this initiative represents,” said Andrei Roper, Marketing Manager at KFC Jamaica. “Supporting Child Month allows us to strengthen the work already happening across communities, especially at a time when greater attention is being placed on the emotional and mental well-being of our children. It is important for us to back that effort in a way that is consistent and purposeful.”

The support for 2026, valued at $1 million, comprises $500,000 in cash and $500,000 in meal support, which will assist with activities and outreach efforts throughout the month.

Chairperson of the National Child Month Committee, Nicole Patrick-Shaw, pointed to growing concerns around children’s mental health, noting that while it has long been an area requiring attention, recent years have brought increased emotional strain for many young people across the island.

She explained that the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with more recent disruptions such as Hurricane Melissa, have added to existing pressures. These events, she noted, led to displacement for some families and interruptions to education, both of which have had an impact on children’s sense of stability and overall well-being.

“Twenty per cent of our children are experiencing mental health challenges, yet only eight per cent are receiving the help they need,” Patrick-Shaw said. “Child protection is not solely the responsibility of the family. It is a national responsibility. Each of us has a role to play in ensuring that our children feel safe, supported and heard.”

Her remarks reinforced the need for a broader, more coordinated response to supporting children, particularly as they navigate increasingly complex social and emotional challenges.

Patron of National Child Month, Douglas Orane, reinforced the importance of sustained and deliberate support, particularly in how adults respond to the needs of children navigating increasingly complex experiences.

“Many of our children are navigating experiences that require more than awareness; they require understanding, patience and support from the adults around them,” Orane stated. “If we are serious about building a stronger future, we have to ensure that our children are not only educated but emotionally equipped with the support systems they need to thrive.”

For Restaurants of Jamaica, the message resonated as a reminder of the role organisations can play in supporting children beyond awareness.

“There’s a real weight to this year’s theme, and it’s something you can’t ignore,” Roper added. “Over the past year, we’ve seen how much our children have had to process and adjust to. It’s a reminder that support must go beyond moments like this and become something we continue to prioritise in how we show up for them every day.”