April 14, 2026
The title of this editorial seems glib, for sure. But it cannot be stressed any more clearly than what it is. We need to focus on the mental health of the people in the region.
This is before we discuss the impact of drugs and narcotics, but we truly need to look into things like depression, schizophrenia and bi-polar behavioural traits.
It will only make for a safer and more understanding society and people.
How many of us have a family member who is the black sheep and “can’t get right,”?
I would venture to say that every one of us has that family member who needs help. Some of us may need help. We should not be afraid or ashamed to talk about it and let it be known that certain mental disorders run in our family or that my mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, son, suffers from a mental disability and need specialized attention.
Then the public and private sector need to make spaces available where people can receive treatment without fear of being judged or shamed.
This is the only way people can heal.