The Ministry of Health has taken a significant step toward strengthening its mental health care framework with the creation of a Director of Mental Health Services and the establishment of a dedicated mental health unit within the Ministry of Health.
The Director of Mental Health Services, Miss Naomie Jn Baptiste, works under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sharon Belmar-George.
Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste said the initiative reflects the government’s recognition of the growing mental health challenges affecting the population and the need for a coordinated national response.
“Last year, our government decided to create a position of Director of Mental Health Services, and we are establishing a fully staffed mental health unit,” Jn Baptiste explained.
He noted, however, that the process is ongoing. “We do not have all the staff members now, but hopefully over time we will have a fully staffed mental health unit.”
According to the minister, the expansion of mental health services is being driven by observable trends within society and assessments by health professionals.
“We are seeing so many issues in the society and a number of them, based on the work of our professionals, seem to relate to mental health issues,” he said.
Jn Baptiste stressed that addressing these challenges requires more than clinical services alone, pointing to the importance of education and early intervention.
“We believe at every level we need to create a greater awareness in the society about mental health and how we can deal with them,” he added.
The Ministry of Health says the new structure is intended to improve coordination, expand access to care, and support public awareness efforts as Saint Lucia responds to increasing mental health needs across communities.