Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression are significant mental illnesses effecting adult Virgin Islanders, said psychiatric nurse Jacqueline Davis and substance abuse coordinator Lucia Benjamin-Brown at an open house held by the Department of Health’s Division of Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services. Adolescents usually attend the division’s clinic after bullying incidents or self-inflicted injuries, which typically lead to insomnia and eating disorders, they said.
“Children tend to have the same kinds of problems as adults, but people don’t want their children to be ‘crazy.’ Schools have to sometimes force parents to seek help,” said psychologist Brent Woodard who is currently working with about 40 children and adolescents.
Woodard also elaborated on the bullying epidemic children are faced with today. He encouraged children and their families to attend a bullying workshop on Wednesday, May 16 (see schedule at the end of this article).
The younger people are when they start treatment, said Benjamin-Brown, the better chance they have to lead full, productive lives.
Wednesday’s open house is the first of a series of events during Mental Health Month. About 25 people trickled into the clinic at Barbel Plaza South throughout the day to hear information about services and workshops offered. Mental health patients, their families, and visitors from surrounding businesses also received pamphlets about specific mental health illnesses.
“We do this every year, but it’s not really enough. It has to be an ongoing basis where people are constantly informed, involved, and supportive. Right now, we still have the old stigma about mental illness and it’s only because of lack of information,” said psychiatric nurse Jacqueline Davis.
The clinic, which treats St. Thomas and St. John, currently has about 300 clients ranging from children to adults. The Department of Health’s Division of Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services (DMHADDS) receives referrals from schools, hospitals, family and friends, and some cases are court mandated, but a lot of clients come on their own, said Benjamin –Brown.
“We need to let the public know that these people can function. There’s old, antiquated ideas that can’t be erased easily. Clients are the ones who are suffering,” said Davis.
The clinic does not turn away clients who do not have money to pay for services. The division often works with insurance companies and doctors to make sure that clients receive the care they need. Representatives also noted that clients do not have to have an appointment to get help right away.
The DMHADDS is funded locally and federally, but Davis noted that it’s rarely enough. Staff and resources are a major concern. The division often partners with churches and charities to complete projects.
During Mental Health Month – May – the DMHADDS will hold events on all three islands. Although the date is not set, the division is planning a ceremony for the opening of the new Eldra Schulterbrandt Annex.
Please call the DMHADDS at 774-4882 for more information.
St. Thomas-St. John District Events:
- Wednesday, May 16 – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – "Bullying" presentation at Barbel Plaza.
- Wednesday, May 23 – 3-4:30 p.m. – "How to Care for Yourselves and Your Loves Ones in Stressful Time" presentation at Barbel Plaza.
St. Croix District Events:
- Thursday, May 11 – 9 a.m. to noon – Open house at Charles Harwood Medical Complex.
- Thursday, May 17 – 10 to 11 a.m. Open forum, parenting support group at CHC Mental Health Building.
