A growing focus on child and adolescent mental health in Jamaica is highlighting the need for earlier intervention as stigma continues to discourage some families from seeking professional support.

Tackaya Brown-Lawrence, head of the St James Child and Adolescent Wellness Centre, said mental-health stigma remains a significant barrier to children and teenagers accessing care. The centre has been taking mental-health education into schools, churches and communities to encourage families to seek help earlier.

The Montego Bay-based centre recorded a major increase in new clients, rising from 10 in 2024 to 173 in 2025, while new-client visits increased from 16 to 538. Health promotion activities also expanded significantly during the same period.

Brown-Lawrence stressed that early mental-health intervention is critical, with the centre working with schools and adolescent health teams to identify concerns and make referrals.

The centre is also looking to expand specialised support, including autism services, speech therapy and multidisciplinary care, strengthening Jamaica's approach to children's mental and developmental health.