Expanding Forensic Psychiatry Needs in Barbados Amid post-COVID Demands: BAP President Urges Attention
March 15, 2024
Increase availability of forensic psychiatrists in Barbados to meet demand, highlighted by BAP President Dr Nya Maughn amid growing need for specialized care following COVID-19's impact on mental health services.
More forensic psychiatrists are needed in Barbados.
This is the assessment of President of Barbados Association of Psychiatrists (BAP) Dr Nya Maughn based on demands for general psychiatrists, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Although you may hear about psychiatry, forensic psychiatry is a subspecialty of psychiatry which interfaces with mental health and the law.
“Our general psychiatrists are under pressure to make these decisions about people’s rights and risk assessments, so a lot is expected. Last year we held the first forensic psychiatry conference . . . because there aren’t that many specialists in the region and a lot of general psychiatrists were being asked to perform these tasks but might not have had the experience,” Maughn said.