C-TECH DELIVERS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROJECT TO THE REGION WITH OUTSTANDING RESULTS
C-TECH DELIVERS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROJECT TO THE REGION WITH OUTSTANDING RESULTS
May 1, 2023
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C-TECH DELIVERS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROJECT TO THE REGION WITH OUTSTANDING RESULTS

MEDIA RELEASE

Kingston, Jamaica, 28 April 2023 – The Caribbean Training and Education for Health (C-TECH) has successfully concluded the Supporting the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers in the Region project. Launched last year in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the project was implemented in Jamaica and 11 other countries, with a total of 860 health and social workers benefiting from the project’s activities.

The project aimed to address the mental health crisis faced by frontline health workers during the pandemic, who reported increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. C-TECH’s mental health initiative provided access to mental health support tools and information, including monthly self-care webinars, professional courses in leadership and wellbeing, and therapeutic and counseling services.

Canada’s High Commissioner Emina Tudakovic and Executive Director for Caribbean Training and Education Center for Health (C-TECH) share a photo at the Close-out event and showcase for the Supporting the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers in the Region project held at the Courtleigh Hotel on 27 April 2023.

With additional funding from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), the project expanded to the OECS, benefiting an additional 5,000 healthcare workers in the region. The project’s activities empowered healthcare workers to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing with professional development courses that focused on leadership and wellbeing. The project also specifically focused on supporting women healthcare workers, with 193 women receiving professional certification in the Leadership and Management in Health Course.

The project’s success is evident in the multiple impacts reported by beneficiaries, including their capacity to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing and access to mental health services. “My participation in the program has been a rich experience, but it also came at a time when I did not realize I was near burnout. Completing the wellbeing course exposed me to other ways of coping and also gave me the opportunity to receive care as the caregiver. I had also recommended it to other colleagues who received support,” commented a beneficiary of the project.

At the close-out event, C-TECH acknowledged the support of the High Commission of Canada and US Government funders, particularly the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), for their kind funding and support, making it possible to deliver this well-needed service to healthcare workers in the region.

Healthcare workers in high spirits at the Close-out event and showcase for the Supporting the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers in the Region project held at the Courtleigh Hotel on 27 April 2023 hosted by the Caribbean Training and Education Center for Health (C-TECH).

“At C-TECH, we are committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers and overall workforce development. We firmly believe that a healthy workforce is essential to the success of any healthcare system. Our hope is to continue providing these much-needed services for as long as possible,” said C-TECH’s Executive Director, Dr. Natalie-Irving Mattocks.

The Executive Director also stated that although the project’s outreach to the OECS has come to an end due to limited funding, healthcare workers in Jamaica will still have access to mental health services.

The event was attended by Her Excellency Emina Tudakovic, High Commissioner of Canada, and Dr. Shahini Gravillis, Technical Specialist in Social Development Division from the OECS, joined virtually. They both expressed high praise for the project and the partnership.

About C-TECH

The Caribbean Training and Education Center for Health (C-TECH) supports countries in the region in their efforts to successfully address health workforce and health system challenges. C-TECH has been implementing innovative, locally driven healthcare programmes in the Caribbean for the past 17 years, focusing on health systems strengthening, developing health workforces and strengthening the response for people with non-communicable diseases. C-TECH is an autonomous entity that is part of the International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) partner network.

About the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)

The Canada Fund Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) is a program supporting small-scale, high-impact projects in developing countries, which align with Global Affairs Canada’s thematic priority areas for engagement. The program is directed at projects conceived and designed predominantly by local partners. Projects are selected and approved by the High Commission of Canada in Jamaica. The CFLI also serves to support positive bilateral relations between Canada and recipient countries and their civil societies, by deepening contacts and supporting local endeavours.

For more information about C-TECH, please visit their website at www.ctech-caribbean.org.

Contact: Project queries: tdmattocks@ctech-caribbean.org

Tel: 876-466-8131

General queries: info@ctech-caribbean.org

Caribbean Training and Education Center for Health (C-TECH) 17 Ruthven Road, Kingston 10

Office: 876.906.4294 or 876.754.8401

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A stressful work environment can contribute to several health issues both mentally and physically, these may include headache, insomnia, stomach-aches, anxiety, difficulty concentrating high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. 

It is important then that we take meaningful steps to ensure that we are manging our own personal space to avoid some of these issues. Our assumption, perception and expectation affect how we react to others and life situations and ultimately how we view how jobs. When assumption, expectations and perceptions are not met, we respond through our thought’s feelings and behaviours. It is important to practice positive thinking as our thoughts affects how we feel, and our feelings affects how we behave.

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  • Seek for clarity instead of trying to convince yourself of what others are thinking
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  • Proper nutrition
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We often here people expressing how stressed they are feeling or how over worked they are, not having enough time to do the things they like such as spending time with friend and families or even a few self-care activities. We have watch families suffer due to long working hours as well as our jobs due to loss of interest and enthusiasm resulting from burnout. 

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At work    

  • Set manageable goals each day. 
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  • Communicate effectively.
  • Give yourself a break. 

         At Home

  • Don’t over commit. 
  • Get support. 
  • Stay active. 
  • Treat your body right. 
  • Get help if you need it. 

Tameca Dempster-Mattocks is an accomplished Associate Counseling Psychologist and Financial Counsellor, holding an M.Sc. Degree in Counselling and Social Work from Mico University College, along with multiple certifications in mental health from the University of Washington.

 

Currently, she holds the positions of Regional Psychologist – NERHA and Mental Health Program Coordinator at the Caribbean Training & Education Center for Health (C-TECH). Tameca has successfully managed regional mental health projects, overseeing and leading impactful initiatives that positively influence the mental well-being of individuals in the region. 

 

With a passion for community service, Tameca actively contributes to various private and charitable organizations, dedicating her time as a volunteer to support community members and at-risk youth.

Contact us for mental health support services

Telephone #: 8764161449

Email: wellness@ctech-caribbean.org