Kingston, Jamaica. Friday, June 30, 2023: Enid Bennet High in St. Catherine became the latest secondary school to benefit from the ‘Wellness Check-in’ series conducted by the Ministry of Health & Wellness in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth, ahead of the summer holidays.
The check-ins – done in line with the curriculum of the School Mental Health Literacy Programme and under the ongoing #DoYourShare campaign – has seen the Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, together with members of the national mental health team visiting schools to provide students with tips and access to mental wellness resources.
These include the creation of safe spaces, as symbolised by the donation and placement of a Wellness Bench, where youngsters can enjoy some time out or otherwise engage with someone they feel comfortable talking to if they are experiencing emotional or other challenges.
“You need to find your space, your safe space that helps you as students to make the decisions that are in your best interest,” Dr. Tufton told students of Enid Bennett High during his visit on Thursday, June 22.
“A safe space is somewhere you can go to get counselling, to think, to get advice, to focus. We will be unveiling a Wellness Bench here on campus and it’s practical because it represents the type of personal space we want to develop to help you with your mental wellness,” the Minister added.