‘No shame in seeking help’

AN Anglican cleric is urging Barbadians to protect their mental health during this difficult COVID-19 period.

And if that means talking to a psychologist, Canon Noel Burke says there is no shame in doing so.

The Rector of St. David’s Church explained in his sermon yesterday that the pandemic has had a major effect on people’s lives, and not everyone will cope the same way.  

“When we think of mental health, very often we think of those persons who are institutionalised, and of course that is part of it, but the other part of it is the way in which we deal with the issues and challenges that are presented to us day by day. The coronavirus pandemic has dealt quite a blow to the way in which we deal with things, and the way in which we deal with persons. So, it has created a situation in which at times, we may not always deal with things well,” he told the congregation, which included members of the Barbados Society of Psychology, who joined virtually to commemorate the start of Psychology Week 2021.  

“So, a person may not be essentially mentally ill, but just not able to deal with the things they have to deal with, as they usually do. And we have encountered a number of these persons since the pandemic has started. And so, there’s no shame, there’s no stigma in having a chat with a psychologist – having a chat with someone to help us to work out the issues that we are dealing with.”

Furthermore, Canon Burke is urging the public to become advocates for persons who are living with disabilities. He pleaded, “Each and every one of us, we have a duty to advocate for those persons who are living with challenges, and to ensure that Barbados is a place that is accessible and that our institutions and organisations are indeed all accessible to persons who are living with disabilities, physical or otherwise.”  

The Barbados Society of Psychology, which also celebrates its 20th Anniversary, is a professional organisation that aims to promote the development of and maintain professional standards in the discipline of Psychology.

Psychologist Dr. Mike Campbell, who represented the organisation at St. David’s Church, extended greetings on behalf of President Dr. Deanne Ford and members. He also took the opportunity to commend the professionals who have been going above and beyond, especially over the last 18 months.  

“It is October, Mental Health Month, and I just like to give thanks for all of our members who have been working very hard during the pandemic, through providing support to clients, through community service, through teaching, and through research to help Barbados be as resilient as we know we can,” Dr. Campbell expressed.