Mental health has emerged as a major concern among adolescents who have lost their fathers, with the founder-director of the FMH Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, Faith Marshall-Harris, saying the charity has seen increased demand for counselling among children dealing with grief.
“One of the biggest concerns we have in helping is with mental health,” Marshall-Harris said, reporting that the greatest need during the current back-to-school campaign is among children transitioning from primary to secondary school.
But she also noted that the charity is also responding to emotional and mental health challenges among children who have recently experienced the loss of their fathers.
“In fact, they provided a lot of counseling for children who lost fathers recently. That’s been a big demand at the moment,” she said. “These are children who are adolescents, 13, 14, who have felt it most in the loss of a father.”
The July 6 fatal shooting of 40-year-old Black Rock businessman Deon Pilgrim, who was killed outside his home on Belfield Road, left his only daughter without a father.
Marshall-Harris said the Trust’s work goes beyond providing material assistance, as children who contact the organisation may be dealing with a range of personal and emotional difficulties. “We do other things ‘cause actually ours is a child helpline. So they call us for any problem they have.”
She said the organisation also provides counselling to children who have been suspended from school or are experiencing emotional difficulties.
The charity’s support, she said, is aimed at helping children navigate grief and loss while ensuring they know there are adults available to support them.
The Trust is currently supporting children with back-to-school needs, including school supplies and food hampers, while its assistance extends to children from birth to age 18.
Marshall-Harris said the organisation has expanded its back-to-school appeal this year beyond Abed’s to other businesses, including Woolworth.
(LE)
