Community psychiatry and the Pan American Health Organization: the Jamaican experience

The development of a modern psychiatric service in Jamaica and the role played by PAHO consultants in this development is described. Some fundamental points are raised: -It is essential that a director of mental health services and a senior psychiatric nurse be given senior positions in the Ministry of Health so that the psychiatric services receive due attention and are integrated closely with the other health services. -The local training of psychiatric professionals of all categories is essential for such a service and should be given priority by the Government. -The intelligent use of a large number of briefly trained individuals is the only way to provide psychiatric coverage in a developing country. -PAHO consultants assigned to work in a developing country over an extended period can play a useful role in the introduction of contemporary psychiatric services.