1. Introduction
2. Annotated Bibliography
Introduction The objective of this annotated bibliography is to bring to fore the attitudes toward the stigma associated with Mental illness in Jamaica and to determine if these were related to the major changes in Public policy, particularly, deinstitutionalization and integration community Mental Health services with primary health care services that the country has undergone within the period from independence since now. Since gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1962, Jamaica has made significant public policy changes to its Mental Health services. These changes have developed a robust community Mental Health service, major deinstitutionalization of the single Mental Hospital built by the British in 1862 and the radical restructuring of the country’s Mental Health legislation, Hickling (2011). There have also been significant efforts to educate the general public about Mental Illness and its treatment through popular media and innovative socio-cultural …show more content…
The design used to formulate the study was a qualitative descriptive study. In the study the authors investigates the themes of Family bonding; stigma and discrimination; community reaction/unpreparedness; regression of patients; inadequate community resources; absence and noncompliant with medication; caregivers coping mechanism; benefits of deinstitutionalized care and mental health officers roles. The article points out that deinstitutionalization in Jamaica began in the 1960s and overtime Hospitalized patients have decreased. In 1960 there were 3094 psychiatric patients in the islands only Mental Health hospital and currently there are approximately 900 hospitalized patients, Hickling & Gibson