UNICEF and Other Stakeholders Commended for Taking on Mental Health Issues

The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) has commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other key stakeholders for taking steps to address mental health issues affecting persons locally.

Speaking during the recent National Youth Mental Health Summit, hosted by UNICEF at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at the JYAN, Shanielle Allen, said “we serve as an advocate, essentially for youth, adolescents, children and young adults, and we understand the importance of mental health and we are excited for conversations like this.”

“We have also established… that young people are the future, as they serve as a catalyst for change; and so we are grateful for these conversations,” she added.

Ms. Allen took the opportunity to thank UNICEF and its partners for creating a safe space where mental health issues can be tackled openly and without judgement.

“We love when mental health is a conversation that we can have, understanding that it affects young people just as much as any other age group, and that it is a real thing,” she said.

The Policy and Advocacy Coordinator also pledged JYAN’s assistance in addressing this issue.

“We commit our support. So our network, UNICEF, is your network, and our platforms are your platforms. We are committing our support and we reiterate that mental health matters,” Ms. Allen said.

The Summit saw the wholesome contribution of approximately 100 students who will help to construct a more robust and comprehensive approach to mental health.