The head of the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness has urged authorities to move beyond awareness campaigns and prioritise early, community-based mental health support, warning that untreated conditions are driving the island’s homelessness crisis.
Kemar Saffrey called for a stronger national focus on early intervention and community-based mental health support, as Barbados joined the global observance of World Mental Health Day on Friday.
Saffrey suggested more emphasis must be placed on identifying and supporting mental health challenges at an early stage — in schools, workplaces and within families — if the country is to make real progress in addressing both homelessness and mental illness.
“Education and awareness must form the foundation of this approach, helping to remove stigma and build understanding around the mental health challenges faced by so many in our society,” he said.
The BAEH president noted that, since its founding in 2009, the organisation has worked closely with hundreds of Barbadians affected by homelessness — and mental health has been a recurring and defining issue among this group.
Saffrey said: “Approximately 80 per cent of our clients, both male and female, have been affected by mental health conditions over the years. This experience has shown us that homelessness and mental health are deeply connected, and one cannot be effectively addressed without the other.”
He added that tackling these issues requires a more holistic national approach, combining clinical care with community outreach and strong policy support.
The BAEH is also calling for policy changes to strengthen the response to individuals in mental health crises, particularly as it relates to the Emergency Order.
Saffrey explained that frontline organisations such as community groups and shelters should be given the tools and authority to respond appropriately to such situations.
“We believe that community organisations, shelters and civil society groups who work directly with vulnerable populations should be trained, equipped and empowered to assess, document and refer individuals to the Psychiatric Hospital or relevant mental health services for timely intervention,” he said.
“By doing so, we can strengthen the bridge between community care and clinical care, ensuring that people in crisis receive help with dignity and respect.”
Back in September, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George revealed that Barbados’ 24-hour mental health hotline had receivedmore than 6 500 calls since its launch just over a year ago, with 40 per cent of those calls coming from children and teens.
Saffrey emphasised that Barbados must move “beyond awareness and towards meaningful action”, noting that compassion and coordinated reform are essential if lasting progress is to be achieved.
“As we honour World Mental Health Day, the Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness calls for a national recommitment to mental wellness, compassion and proactive reform,” he said. “Our society must ensure that every person, regardless of circumstance, has access to the mental health support they need.” (SB)
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