Page 11 - HOH

Saturday 10 OctOber 2020 LOCAL
A10

Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA):

Investing in Mental Health

mental illness is predicted disorders often face stigma closer to achieving our ate the needed alliances
to cause US$2.76 billion in and discrimination, limita- goals, we need to continue between governments, ac-
lost economic output from tion of human rights, abuse, to pledge support to the ademia, civil society and
2015-2030. neglect and inadequate 2007 Declaration of Port of others, to help to shape
This year’s World Mental access to community- Spain: Uniting to Stop the regional and country-level
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD Health Day, on 10 Octo- based treatment, care and Epidemic of Chronic Non- policy and programs that
AND TOBAGO — In the Ca- ber, comes at a time when support services. Address- communicable Diseases, address the issues of men-
ribbean and worldwide, lives have changed con- ing stigma and discrimina- and the Sustainable De- tal health disorders and to
mental health disorders are siderably as a result of the tion are important strate- velopment Goal (SDG) 3.4 promote mental wellbeing.
now recognized as the fifth COVID-19 pandemic. The gies in programs for mental which aims to reduce, by

major non-communicable campaign focuses on in- health disorders. 2030, premature mortal- In September of this year,
disease and a major threat vestment in mental health. Investing in interventions ity from non-communica- CARPHA and countries
to health and economic designed to improve ble diseases by one third, across the Region cel-
development in the 21st The World Federation health can help reduce through prevention and ebrated Caribbean Well-
century. for Mental Health states the burden of these illness- treatment and the promo- ness Day. The annual event
“Good mental health is es. There are cost-effective tion of mental health and was geared at increasing
According to the World critical to the functioning of interventions that Carib- well-being,” said Dr Joy St awareness and promoting
Health Organization one society at the best of times. bean countries can imple- John, CARPHA Executive activities to address non-
in four persons globally will It must be front and center ment to prevent and con- Director. communicable diseases in-
be affected by a mental of every country’s response trol mental illnesses. Scaled cluding mental health.
disorder or neurological to and recovery from the up treatment for mental She further stated that
disorder in their lifetime and COVID-19 pandemic. The health disorders are likely to a ‘whole of society ap- CARPHA urges everyone to
450 million are affected mental health and wellbe- increase healthy life years, proach’ is essential in or- engage in healthy lifestyles
by these disorders, such ing of whole societies have thus avoiding significant der to prevent and control like being physically active,
as, depression, anxiety dis- been severely impacted by economic losses and social mental disorders and other engaging in healthy eat-
orders, bipolar disorder, this crisis and are a priority costs. Over a 15-year peri- NCDs. No one person, or- ing; if you smoke, please
schizophrenia, dementia to be addressed urgently. od, scaling up treatment for ganization or government quit, reduce consumption
and substance (e.g. alco- mental health conditions can do this. All members of of alcohol to the recom-
hol, nicotine) dependency. The current COVID-19 pan- in Jamaica would result in society need to play their mended safe quantities,
demic is also affecting dif- J$4.2 return on investment role to achieve success. get annual health checks,
Mental health disorders are ferent people in different for every J$1 invested.2 improve your personal re-
a leading cause of disabil- ways, and is having a major CARPHA continues to work lationships with family and
ity and a major contributor impact on persons’ mental “We must support inter- closely with the Caribbean friends and take care of

to the burden of non-com- health and well-being in- ventions and investments Community (CARICOM), In- your mental health. During
municable diseases (NCDs) cluding those persons who aimed at prevention and stitutions of the Community, the pandemic be calm, be
in the Region. In Jamaica have existing mental ill- treatment of chronic dis- Member States and its pub- safe, and seek help if un-
for example, the burden of nesses. Persons with mental eases. So that we move lic health partners to cre- able to cope.q
Professional fishing guides in Aruba in world top 10 %

ORANJESTAD — Four professional fishing guides
in Aruba have been ranked in the top 10 % of
fishing guides in the world by FishingBooker.

The captains in question are:
• Milton Pichardo with Teaser Charters
• Marcelino De Jesus with Sunrise Charters
• Ryan C.f Jones with Aruba Bound Charters
• Eddy with J-String Charters

The guides are thrilled to have received Fish-
ingBooker's Angler's Choice Award 2020,
which is a recognition awarded to the top 10%
Eddy Milton Pichardo, photo Credits Aruba
of guides each year. The criteria for receiving
this award are:
• At least 7 reviews from FishingBooker cus-
tomers
• An average review score of at least 4.5 out
of 5
• A “realization rate” of at least 70%, mean-
ing most of the guide's trips went ahead
• The guide responded to at least 90% of
their trip requests

FishingBooker is the world's largest booking
platform for fishing charters, working with over
5,000 fishing guides worldwide, including 19 in
Aruba.q
Ryan C.f Jones Marcelino De Jesus