The Vincentian Society and Mental Illness
I am raising serious concerns about how the authorities and the general public treat mentally ill persons in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Recently, the well-known “Pansy” from the Paul’s Avenue/Paul Lot area, who usually walks around town, was seen covered in blood with a broken leg after being attacked by a member of the public. Another case is that of Alrick Rock, also known as Striker/Strike Force, a former taxi driver. He was severely beaten with a cutlass by market security at the market crossing adjacent to the Hinds Building, in full view of bystanders. The incident went viral internationally on social media. He later won his case in the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court but was awarded only $2,500, a sum that hardly reflects the severity of the assault.
Within months, another tragedy unfolded. A mentally ill man from Redemption Sharpes was at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital performing his usual antics: raising his hands to the sky with his fingers shaped like a gun and moving from side to side. Hospital security called the police. An altercation ensued, and the police fired six bullets into his abdomen and legs. He sustained serious injuries, including a broken leg, a broken hand, and abdominal wounds. Bullet holes remain visible on his body.
Why are we not helping mentally ill patients? Why not upgrade the Mental Health Centre and provide proper care? Recently, an ex-inmate named Woodley was sent to the Mental Health Centre to live, as he was deemed too dangerous for society. However, beyond institutional placement, there are cases that show how the system fails to protect mentally ill citizens.
Consider the case of Mrs. Sylvia Richards from Calder Ridge, who is in her late sixties. She married her husband as a teenager; he was about twenty years older. He left a house to one of his children from an earlier relationship, and it is now owned by her stepson. Mrs. Richards lived in that house all her life. A court case was called in Calliaqua for her to appear regarding occupancy. She failed to appear multiple times. The court, unaware of her mental condition, issued an order to evict her.
Police and a bailiff carried out the order, leaving her and her belongings on Calder Street in the rain before family members were even notified. Also, her bed, stereo, and other belongings were left in the house and were not handed over to her.
Was the magistrate informed by the bailiff that Mrs. Richards appeared mentally ill? Did the bailiff check to see if she had family? Did he provide any observations to the court about her condition? Even if he is not a psychologist, he could have made basic observations to assist the court. Instead, her stepson pursued eviction at all costs, and the police enforced it without hesitation.
In her mental state, Mrs. Richards could not understand the court process or defend herself. Family members later found the summons on the ground by the roadside while going through her things. It is highly probable that she never properly received them.
These cases show a disturbing pattern: mentally ill citizens are being beaten, shot, dispossessed, and abandoned. This is not justice. This is not compassion. I call on society to publicly condemn these actions and, on the authorities, to upgrade mental health facilities, train security officers and police in humane responses, and ensure that courts are properly informed when mental illness is a factor.
