Does gov’t have funding to assist the mentally ill?
Former Health Minister Marlon Penn has stated that the government had set aside some $700,000 to provide housing and other support for mentally ill persons across the territory who are homeless.
Penn made the revelation this week on the Morning Braff radio show where hosts Floyd ‘Heritage’ Burnett and Cindy Rosan raised the issue of mental illness in the community. Heritage also mentioned that a mentally ill person recently broke into a store in Road Town and snatched the cash register.
In response, Penn said the government is aware that many mentally ill persons pose a risk to themselves and others. He said when he served as Health Minister, he had explored the idea of establishing a transition house facility where persons could get mental health support until they’re able to recover and live independently.
“We looked at the possibility of securing a transition home for persons who are going through those challenges, so they could have someone there on a daily basis to take care of them and help them cope with a lot of the challenges they are having. It was still in place when I left, I don’t know if they’re still moving forward now that a new Minister is in place,” Penn explained.
“We need to have facilities – not just to medicate persons and give them injections – but just to be there and help them transition through these issues they are facing,” Penn added.
As the discussion continued, the hosts called Health Minister Vincent Wheatley to determine whether he was aware that funds were set aside to build a transition house for mentally ill persons.
“We cannot continue to ignore mental health and whatever is in place that makes sense, of course, we have to continue,” Wheatley said when answering the question about the allocated funds. “I haven’t seen the programme he (Marlon Penn) spoke of. I heard about it for the first time a while ago. I will make sure I go back to the office and try and see exactly what is in place there,” Wheatley said.
The community has been calling for the government to put measures in place to routinely administer medication and care services to mentally ill people who are homeless in the community. But Penn said an additional facility is needed, as these services cannot be administered by the healthcare facilities. He also said it would help if the government was committed to implementing good programmes that were started by administrations before them.
“Government is a continuum, we have to be able to say this is how we’re going to deal with the mental health issues in the country and whichever elected person comes into that seat should know this is the way we are dealing with mental health issues in the country. We shouldn’t just change something because it’s a new minister of government in place,” Penn said.
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Government have funds to help their friends and family and to waste on useless things but not to help the mental.
Them building houses for drug addicts and not looking out for those who really need it.
I have not been to all the countries in the Caribbean like the grey head funeral home expat hating person, but I believe the only place in the Caribbean that don’t have a mad house is the pristine tola. Probably for good reason. It is total madness to have a free fete at this time anywhere in the world for 250,000. So I believe if you had a mad house the slow man would be a prime candidate.
During the COVID lockdown the Government had the mentally ill roaming the streets without any support. I think that should answer your question.
Why is it when you talk about mental illness, we present images that are derogatory. Why is this a dirty person without shoes. We need to do better and change the image of what mental illness looks like. Mental illness is a diverse as we are!
We don’t have funding for a lot of things but we got money for Big Jam tho… We Outside! #lord help this place
The BVI has nothing to be ashamed about. If a person is mentally sick they would behave outside the realm of what is accepted as normal behaviour including dressing .
However, the majority do not want to accept this and hide away their loved ones or feel embarrassed to talk about it . That is why at this stage there is no facility for people who suffer from such
: it is a case of denial . The money for the festival party can be better served to help these people and their loved ones cope
Free up the weed, legalise gambling, issue extra late license for entertainment establishments, relax gun law and We should all be fine ?…..Until it comes knocking our door.
Are all those floors at the hospital being used?
We have to be careful when doing another home for the homeless. Stalk holders need to come together and discuss. In doing social policy you have to see what services are already available as the Safe Haven which is also a home for homeless. We need to categorize and then move from there. No need to build another institution to fail. Programs always fail in the country due to lack of proper planning and policies. We need to hire people who are expert in this area not just loud mouths. We also need to take into consideration that these individuals come with a lot of health issues so medical staff will be needed. Some will never be able to be transition so we need to look at this as well.
Would this funding provide reimbursement to the many business places where the mentally challenged have stolen from? curious to know… I got a claim to file – I think it should be against the government.
Red Cross – Ayo cant give this man 2 pair socks with all the free stuff you getting and fat salaries y’all getting with all the donations?
I promise you….some of the MOST mentally unwell persons on this island don’t look like the image above. They dress normal and go into these work places and unleash their madness on everyone around them daily. However vagrants do need to be removed from our public roads. They have become increasingly aggressive and there’s only a hand full of them so there’s no excuse to get this issue under control. Immediately.
Some of the well dressed are mentally ill too.
The BVI does have a prison and a team of investigators who are slow but sure. You are on borrowed time. Soon All and I do mean All your debts will have to be paid.
what about all those who will attend???
$700k could buy one apartment at current prices. M knows that the property that the Government has been trying to buy in Sea Cows bay for this purpose since years now is in dispute and that 700k is the downpayment.
ARE SUFFERING FROM THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CERTAIN MEDICATIONS / * WHICH * THE DOCTORS ARE NOT TELLING YOU ABOUT ? / THEN THERE’S
COCAINE , AND WE ARE SEEING AND HEARING ABOUT WHAT COMES WITH IT LIKE GUNS AND MURDER ALONG WITH CORRUPTION ~ ALSO THERE IS IMPORTED WEED THAT IS ENHANCED WITH SOME SORT OF MIND ALTERING DRUGS WITH ALL KINDS OF FANCY NAMES , ( I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY , PEOPLE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE THEY HAVE NATURALLY HOME GROWN WEED / AND CHOOSING TO SMOKE THAT IMPORTED ( WHATEVER )
THAT PUTS YOU AT YHE MERCY OF WHATS INSIDE OF IT ?
Well, finally the conversation has started. We desperately need a proper mental health facility. Hope this initiative is done very soon.