Saint Lucia is still working to reduce the stigma around mental health, but you might be surprised to learn that free support options are a stone’s throw away.
Nurse Maria Charles told St. Lucia Times at a Suicide Prevention Awareness Fair on Thursday that free client-centred counselling sessions are available in almost every community.
Charles, who provides mental health support as part of the Community Health Nursing Services, says the direction of sessions is determined largely by what the client wishes to discuss. (Full details on community mental health support services and other options for individuals seeking accessible and affordable care are provided below this article).
She says there are a few things to remember when reaching out for help. Community counselling, for instance, can be viewed as an initial point of contact. Nurses like herself, who has worked in the field for 17 years, can help address issues such as mild anxiety. If needed, referrals and guidance towards a more clinically suitable support route can also be provided in cases where more intensive care is needed.
Illnesses like depression require a clinical psychologist, but this service is not currently available in the community. However, Charles said, “More than likely we would refer [them] to the Mental Wellness [Centre]; their services are free. In some cases, because of the long wait time, we would have to refer you to somebody outside, which is a paid service.”
She says, however, that Turning Point offers a cheaper option, with counselling sessions at $15 per session.
Further, Charles spoke about her observations over the years and how mental health support has evolved. She noted that collectively, people have become more open to discussing mental health challenges, though when it comes to men, few seek follow-up care.
Charles also says nurses and individuals seeking care must navigate a system where public resources, including practitioners, are limited. “When it’s with the hospital and when you have a free service, there is limited amount of counsellors…”
Regarding integrating more mental health support professionals into public service, she said, “I believe for them, the pay is a deterrent and the working hours at the hospital compared to private.”
Despite these challenges, practitioners like Charles stay committed to offering accessible and affordable help wherever it is needed.
Recommended free and accessible mental health support
Free mental health support available at Community Health Centres around the island
(Information provided by the Community Health Nursing Services Unit at the Ministry of Health and Elderly Affairs.)
Services provided include, but are not limited to:
- Home visits
- Diagnostic evaluation
- Screening for possible admission to a mental health facility
- Emergency care
- Crisis intervention services
- Psychotherapy
- Psychosocial rehabilitation
- Medication management
- Treatment administration
- Referrals
Services are provided at the following facilities:
(Some of the health centres below are currently closed. If the centre nearest to you is closed, health officials advise seeking support at the second-nearest open institution.)
Anse La Raye – 468-7810/7800 (Clinic day: first Tuesday of every month)
Babonneau – 468-7723/7722 (Clinic day: first Wednesday of the month)
Belle Vue – 468-7977/7976 (Second and fourth Tuesday of the month)
Bexon – 468-7782/7781 (Fourth Thursday of the month)
Canaries – 468-7763/7761 (Second Tuesday of the month)
Castries – 468-8880/8881 (Third Friday of the month)
Ciceron – 468-7704/7705 (Second Thursday of the month)
Delcer – 468-7757/7758 (Second Monday of the month)
Dennery – 468-7664/7650 (First Wednesday and third Monday of the month)
Desruisseaux – 468-7717/7719 (Second and third Tuesday of the month)
Entrepôt – 468-7936/7937 (Second Friday of the month)
Etangs – 468-7768/7766 (Fourth Tuesday of the month)
Fond Assau – (Second Thursday)
Fond St Jacques – 468-7772/7771 (Second Wednesday of the month)
Grace – 468-7754/7753 (Wednesday)
Gros Islet Polyclinic – 468-7635/7633 (Third Thursday of the month)
Grand Rivière – 468-7700/7703 (Fourth Tuesday of the month)
Jacmel – 468-7728/7727 (Third Thursday of the month)
Laborie – (Second Tuesday of the month)
La Croix – 468-7736/7738 (Fourth Wednesday of the month)
La Clery – 468-8533/8531 (Fourth Tuesday of the month)
La Fargue – 468-7794/7793 (First Thursday of the month)
La Guerre – 468-7743/7744 (Third Monday of the month)
Micoud – 468-7956/7957 (First Friday, first Thursday and second Friday of the month)
Monday – 468-8542/8540 (Second Monday of the month)
Mongouge – 468-7787/7786 (Third Tuesday of the month)
Mon Repos – 468-7707/7708 (First Tuesday and fourth Thursday of the month)
Richfond – 468-7926/7027 (Second Thursday and third Wednesday of the month)
Saltibus – 468-7778/7776 (First Tuesday of the month)
Soufriere Hospital – 468-7613/7603 (Second and fourth Thursday of the month)
Ti Rocher, Castries – 468-7748/7746 (Second Tuesday of the month)
Ti Rochier, Micoud – 468-7714/7712 (Third Monday and second Thursday of the month)
Vanard – 468-7732/7733 (Third Monday of the month)
Vieux Fort – 468-7988/7985 (Second Monday, third Friday and fourth Monday of the month)
2) Dial #203
Dialling #203 from a landline or mobile phone connects callers with a trained crisis responder immediately.
Officials describe the service as “free, confidential and 24/7”.
3) Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
The EAP provides free support for public service workers experiencing professional and personal problems. The programme is intended to enhance the professional attitude of government employees. Public officers can also benefit from counselling sessions addressing job-related issues, emotional challenges, abuse, alcohol or chemical dependency, health challenges, domestic violence, marital conflict, grief, medical stress, anxiety, depression, financial issues and trauma.
The service is free for government officers and anyone invited to attend a counselling session. Employees are eligible to receive up to six counselling sessions, with each session lasting approximately one hour.
Contact:
468-2269/2260
285-6252
453-1305
