00:00It's free, it's easy to use, and most importantly, it's completely confidential.
00:06All it takes is a WhatsApp to 763-7336.
00:12It's anonymity.
00:13For many people, we've heard stigma and fear of exposure remain powerful barriers to seeking help.
00:21The assurance, however, that they can speak freely, without judgment,
00:25without having to disclose their identity, is what allows them to open up.
00:30And research also shows that texting provides a unique kind of support.
00:34Texts indicate that they felt more confident, more in control of their emotions,
00:39and that sensitive, difficult, or deeply personal issues, it was easier to text about it than to talk about it.
00:48The Umata chat line is catered to young people ages 15 to 29.
00:52In light of a report which shows one in every five young people in this country are struggling with depression,
01:00The STEP survey of 2024 country report paints a sobering picture of the mental health challenges we face.
01:08The report found that 13.6% of the population is in fact living with depression,
01:14with the highest prevalence among our young adults aged 18 to 29.
01:19At 20.1%, that is one in every five young people in this country.
01:27Even more concerning is that over 85% of those living with depression have received no medication within the past year,
01:37and nearly 80% had no psychological therapy or counseling whatsoever.
01:43The situation is equally concerning across the region.
01:47Throughout the region, media reports have highlighted increases in violence and crime, and we can all attest to that.
01:55This can have a negative impact on our children's mental health.
02:00Research studies have indicated that suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 29 years old worldwide.
02:09Trinidad and Tobago is not an exception.
02:11U-Matter is a collaboration with UNICEF and UE, and is but one of a number of initiatives to be implemented by the Ministry of Health
02:19in an effort to better meet the mental health needs of the population.
02:23We are advancing the implementation of psychiatric wards at the Aremo Hospital, Point 14 Hospital, and Central Block of Port of Spain General Hospital,
02:33with similar facilities to follow at Sandy Grandi.
02:37We will also integrate mental health and psychological support into our national disaster response,
02:43develop a national strategic plan for dementia,
02:47and implement a mental health information system alongside a hospital-based suicide surveillance system.
02:53Most importantly, our focus will be on bringing services closer to the people.
03:01Community mental health teams will be established to support the decentralization and mental health crisis response teams
03:08in every regional health authority, which will ensure that professional help is available in the community on a 24-7 basis.
03:16Renessa Cutting, TV6 News.
