Help for students in pain

From left: Holding the symbolic cheque are Sybil Jones, president, St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) alumni, Jamaica Chapter; Dr Worrel Hibbert, principal, STATHS; Robert Hill, chairman of the school board; and Claude Bryan, chairman, STATHS 78 and Friends. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

BY JASON CROSS Observer staff reporter crossj@jamaicaobserver.com  

February 27, 2025

“I welcome this MCIC because a lot of times the students have a lot of challenges — medical and mental challenges. Sometimes there is peer pressure, and this will be helpful because students can relax and let out all their negative emotions. Some of the students have family issues and coming from certain communities, it is stressful on them,” Shennelle Wright, one of the students, shared.

“The other 13 per cent is split between students from Spanish Town and Portmore in St Catherine. A few come from just above Half-Way-Tree. From these communities our children come to us in pain. Some of the cases are medical, psychosocial, while some face some sort of abuse — physical or mental or emotional. As a school it is important for us to respond. Today’s activity is really our response to some of the needs I mentioned,” Hibbert said.

The initiative is the brainchild of a group of past students who refer to themselves collectively as STATHS 78 & Friends. See Article