The Government of Jamaica through some of its key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), has collaborated with the Government of the United Kingdom to officially launch the Wellness Express to bring adolescent mental health services across the country.

The launch of the Wellness Express marks a significant milestone in Jamaica’s youth mental health response. The mobile initiative is designed to deliver structured mental health and psychosocial services directly within and around schools and communities, particularly those residing in Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO).

The programme was officially launched today (February 13) at Haile Selassie School under the Violence Prevention Partnership Programme (VPPP), a joint initiative between the Government of Jamaica and the Government of the United Kingdom.

The Programme represents a strategic agreement between the two governments to address the root causes of youth violence through integrated, evidence-based interventions grounded in the public health model of crime prevention.

The multi-sectoral initiative brings together several key partners, including the Ministry of Health & Wellness; the Ministry of National Security and Peace; the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information; and the National Parenting Support Commission. Together, these agencies are working collaboratively to strengthen protective factors, expand psychosocial support, enhance parenting interventions, and build community resilience.

The Government of Jamaica through some of its key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), has collaborated with the Government of the United Kingdom to officially launch the Wellness Express to bring adolescent mental health services across the country.

The launch of the Wellness Express marks a significant milestone in Jamaica’s youth mental health response. The mobile initiative is designed to deliver structured mental health and psychosocial services directly within and around schools and communities, particularly those residing in Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO).

The programme was officially launched today (February 13) at Haile Selassie School under the Violence Prevention Partnership Programme (VPPP), a joint initiative between the Government of Jamaica and the Government of the United Kingdom.

The Programme represents a strategic agreement between the two governments to address the root causes of youth violence through integrated, evidence-based interventions grounded in the public health model of crime prevention.

The multi-sectoral initiative brings together several key partners, including the Ministry of Health & Wellness; the Ministry of National Security and Peace; the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information; and the National Parenting Support Commission. Together, these agencies are working collaboratively to strengthen protective factors, expand psychosocial support, enhance parenting interventions, and build community resilience.

The Government of Jamaica reaffirmed that addressing youth violence requires sustained collaboration, early intervention, and integrated service delivery. By strengthening mental health services for children and adolescents, the Wellness Express supports not only individual wellbeing but also the broader national security imperative of building safer, more resilient communities.

The Ministry of Health & Wellness expressed appreciation to the Government of the United Kingdom and all partner agencies for their continued collaboration in advancing Jamaica’s public health and social development goals.