The first batch of 30 Psychiatric Nursing Aides (PNAs) have been added to the staff complement of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA). The PNAs successful completed a 18 week training/ certification spearheaded by SERHA under the supervision of the Ministry of Health (MOH) in an effort to strengthen mental health services.
The programme focused on improving the knowledge of the PNAs to assist with caring for persons with mental illnesses.
The ceremony was held under the theme “Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World”. Dr. Naydene Williams, Director of the Health Services Planning and Integration at the Ministry of Health said that “we are compelled to look closely at the realities affecting our young people and to see emerging a picture of the mental health risks.”
The graduation ceremony for the PNAs was held on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at the Portmore Lions’ Civic Centre in St. Catherine.