Leveraging research, community and collaboration towards robust COVID-19 mental health response in the Caribbean

Quinta Seon; Sandeep Maharaj; Darren Dookeeram; Kareema Ali; Terence Seemungal

doi:10.1016/j.lana.2023.100440

Leveraging research, community and collaboration towards robust COVID-19 mental health response in the Caribbean

Lancet Reg Health Am. 2023 Mar:19:100440. doi: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100440. Epub 2023 Jan 31.

Authors

Quinta Seon¹, Sandeep Maharaj^{2

3}, Darren Dookeeram^{2

4}, Kareema Ali⁴, Terence Seemungal⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
² The University of the West Indies, School of Pharmacy, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago.
³ Planetary Health Alliance, Boston, MA, USA.
⁴ Eastern Regional Health Authority, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago.
⁵ Office of the Dean, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago.

Abstract

The CARICOM region has experienced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, one being issues surrounding mental health. This article seeks to highlight that mental health was a major issue prior to the pandemic and the situation could be potentially worst. Therefore we suggest supporting communities remains a pivotal tool in the armamentarium in dealing with diseases that have psychosocial aspects. Collaboration with regional bodies, transnational organizations and philanthropic entities and the process of health diplomacy will open the means through which valuable resources can become available. CARICOM as a Regional health body should be empowered to recognize population mental health challenges as a real and present danger to the well-being of the persons under its care and have an actionable plan that is realistic and sustainable.

Keywords: CARICOM; COVID-19; Mental Health.

Publication types

Review