After having the opportunity to develop and implement a series of mental health initiatives while working for the United Nations (UN), Antiguan-born psychotherapist Mr. Jamion Knight is launching a major community-based mental health programme which will include a national suicide prevention hotline.
This national initiative entitled “The Mango Bucket Project” is one of the strategic activities of the internationally oriented Mental Fitness Centre which was recently launched by Mr. Knight, and which aims to strengthen the resilience of communities in countries across the world, including Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Syria, Kenya and Rwanda.
The former UN official and trauma recovery coach affirmed that “the Mango Bucket Project is based on a local saying ‘one, one full bucket.’ If persons and communities across the country could make a small contribution to improving the mental fitness and resilience of the nation, we can collectively transform the lives of thousands of people who are facing significant and crushing pressures on a daily basis.”
Through mobilizing the support of communities, Mr. Knight will be coordinating the implementation of a national suicide prevention hotline project, resilience hubs in schools and communities, and a leadership academy on resilience, mental fitness and conflict resolution.
These activities will be supported by the launching of community-based psychological first aid groups trained to offer support to persons who are in distress following emergencies and disasters such as hurricanes.
“When one listens to the radio or reads the newspapers every day, it becomes clear that we must act urgently to support persons who are struggling. I am particularly concerned about suicide ideation in the country.
According to a report published in 2021, almost 20 percent of teenagers In Antigua and Barbuda between 13-15 had seriously considered taking their lives.
That’s an alarming statistic. That means that hundreds of teenagers have been under so much pressure that they considered suicide” he stated.
He added “after analyzing the report and speaking to teachers, pastors and others key actors across the country about the challenges confronting young people, I have concluded that we need to do much more to support those in distress.
It is for that reason that I will be working with communities and key stakeholders to develop and launch a national suicide prevention hotline in 2025.”
According to Mr. Knight “the Mango Bucket Project will not duplicate work being done by others at the community level. Instead, we hope to complement existing efforts and initiatives.
In this regard, I would like to praise the exemplary work of advocates such as Mary John who recently received an award from the Governor General for her work on mental health.”
Mr. Knight who was born and raised in English Harbour also praised the leadership shown by local organizations and initiatives such as Mental Health Talk Antigua, the Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing and the Antigua and Barbuda Holistic Coalition.
He also commended Primer Minister Gaston Brown for his leadership in rallying the international community to prioritize mental health.
In addition to giving back to his community through the “Mango Bucket Project”, Mr., Knight has been providing free psychotherapy sessions and trauma recovery sessions through the Mental Fitness Centre initiative.
Mr. Knight, a former island scholar, has worked alongside cancer survivors through the Macmillan Cancer Support, one of the largest cancer charities in the world.
He has received training in a wide range of areas such as Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for insomnia and suicide prevention, mental heath in complex emergencies, and working with male victims of sexual violence.
He is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and received a MSc in Mental Health and Psychological Therapies from Queen Mary University of London and a MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Keele University in the UK.
In addition, he has a MA in Diplomacy, International Law and International Economics from SOAS, University of London, and a Diploma in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from the Alberto Hurtado University in Chile.
He is fluent in Spanish and spent more than 10 years working with the United Nations. As head of the Communication and Information Sector of the UNESCO Regional Office for Central America, Colombia and Mexico, he implemented a series of mental health initiatives including the Central American Network of Psychological First Aid Volunteers, and the Support Group for Journalists.
He also conceptualized and organized the Global Conference on the Mental Health and Security of Refugee Journalists.
In addition to the foregoing, he launched the Working Group on the Resilience and Integrated Security of Refugee Journalists which brought together over two dozen local, regional and international entities including other UN agencies and NGOs.
For more information, kindly contact:
Mr. Jamion Knight, MBACP
Founder and Director
The Mental Fitness Centre
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +254 729 679409
Facebook: The Mental Fitness Centre
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Thank you Mr. Knight for giving back to sweet Wadadli
Kudos to Mr. Knight, my beloved Prime Minister Browne, and everyone else who is shining a light on mental health isues here in Antigua. I wish help was available all those years ago when as a fifteen year old secondary school student struggling with the affairs of life someone was there for me. Maybe it would have prevented me from attempting to take my own life. I am grateful that another person, another child will have somewhere and someone to turn to. Keep shining that light and keep on being that beacon to those who are struggling in the darkness.
Thanks for sharing your story someone some where reading your comment will be prevented from doing the same thing and drek help