“Latest violent incident with mental patient underscores need for upgrade of mental health services,” says Vasquez family

By BBN Staff: The family of the late Nestor Vasquez Jr., who lost their loved one following a violent encounter with a mental health patient at a police station earlier this year, believes the latest homicide involving a
mental health patient in Caye Caulker, underscores the need for the Government of Belize to seriously invest in upgrading mental health services in Belize.

The Vasquez family issued a release today, offering condolences to the family of Isaac Marin, 17, who was fatally stabbed by his mentally-ill cousin Jayme Marin, 28.

“We know your pain too well. And while we did not know Isaac personally, we know he did not deserve this. We know you do not deserve this. Once again, we call upon the Government to take immediate and decisive action to address the deficiencies in the mental health care services available in this country,” the Vasquez family said.

The family also reiterated its call for an acute unit at the KHMH to provide short-term urgent care to persons experiencing an acute and volatile psychotic episode, and a forensic unit for patients to provide medium-term care to persons whose mental health condition involves prolonged episodes which may pose a threat to themselves or
others. The family stressed that it is unfair that laypersons are required to deal with mental health patients despite being unequipped and untrained in doing so.

Jayme Marin is on remand at the Belize Central Prison on charges of Murder, Attempt Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm and Grievous Harm. He is scheduled to return to court on January 8, 2020.

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