Gov’t Strengthening National Security Through Violence Prevention, Mental Health Support

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, says Jamaica’s national security framework is being strengthened through greater focus on violence prevention and mental health support.

She said the Ministry recognises that trauma and emotional distress can contribute to criminal behaviour if left unaddressed.

“If we are to be honest, violence does not start with a weapon. It often starts with untreated trauma… frustration, neglect, or emotional distress,” she noted.

“The issues show up in our classrooms… our families… our communities, and eventually sometimes manifest as criminal behaviour,” she said.

Mrs. Cuthbert-Flynn was speaking at the recent launch of the ‘Wellness Express’ adolescent mental health mobile service at Haile Selassie High School in Kingston,

The mobile unit will provide counselling, mental-health screening, referrals and other psychosocial services as part of ongoing efforts by the Government and its partners to strengthen youth resilience and promote safer, healthier school communities.

“The Ministry of National Security and Peace fully endorses the Wellness Express. We support it not as an add-on to security but as a core part of security,” she said.

She pointed out that delivering mental health and psychosocial support directly to young people and families is a practical violence-prevention strategy and a key element of citizen security.

She said that the Ministry’s expanded peace mandate recognises that enforcement must be complemented by preventive, people-centred programmes, addressing conditions that allow violence to take hold.

“For too long, national security has been measured mainly by arrest and by enforcement. Enforcement will always be necessary, but Jamaica is now accepting something bigger. Prevention must stand tall beside enforcement,” she stated.

Minister Cuthbert-Flynn noted that sustained peace requires participation from schools, families and communities alongside government action.

“Law enforcement controls violence, social programmes prevent violence, but community engagement… is what sustains peace,” she noted.

She maintained that strengthening prevention-focused programmes and partnerships will help secure long-term safety and stability for the country.

“If we build peace in our schools, we build peace in our communities, and if we build peace in our communities, we… will definitely secure Jamaica’s future,” the Minister said.