Mental Health Association upset with PM for “bi-polar” comments in the House

By BBN Staff: The Mental Health Association (MHA) issued a statement this week, condemning Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s use of mental disorders to insult Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat.

During the Special Sitting of the House of Representatives on Friday, June 21, The Prime Minister told Espat “My pronouncement is that you are bi-polar, there is something wrong with you.”

Barrow also accused Espat of having Schizophrenia and told him that he needed to be on medication. In response, the MHA said that insults on a person’s mental health status are “never appropriate,” and that it is concerning that the insult was made by the Prime Minister of Belize in the House of Representatives.

“Carelessness in this regard increases stigma and is also very hurtful to those who actually have such a diagnosis and to their family members,” the MHA said.

The association also used the opportunity to remind the general public that it is import to respect the dignity of those living with mental illness. 

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2019, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.