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In light of the urgent need to support persons, families and communities affected by a series of complex and traumatic life experiences, former United Nations (UN) official and international psychotherapist Mr. Jamion Knight is offering free trauma recovery and psychotherapy sessions to Antiguans and Barbudans.
This support is being provided through the Mental Fitness Centre initiative which was recently launched by Mr. Knight, a British-trained psychotherapist and trauma recovery coach who was born and raised in English Harbour.
“There are many people who are finding it difficult to sleep and concentrate properly due to life challenges such as cancer, negative childhood experiences, nightmares and unwanted sexual experiences. Some are suffering in silence as they are unable to get help due to a lack of funds. I want to help them smile and laugh again.
I want to help them fulfil their potential. Therefore, I will be spending 2025 volunteering my services to those who need help,” said Mr. Knight.
“From my experience working on mental health issues in different parts of the world, I have noted that people are becoming more open to speaking with mental health professionals about the challenges that they face.
This means that there is increasing demand for support. However, in addition to the financial challenges, there are other factors preventing them from getting support such as the inability to get appointments at night and on the weekends.
The Mental Fitness Centre will be responding to this reality by offering flexible appointment options,” Mr. Knight emphasized.
The support being offered by the Mental Fitness Centre will be provided online and through face-to-face sessions to persons living in Antigua and Barbuda, Kenya, Rwanda, Costa Rica, Syria and Sierra Leone. Each person supported by the Centre can receive up to 5 sessions, following a 30-minute telephone evaluation.
Once the sessions are completed, the Centre will collaborate with them to develop a personal development plan.
This support is one of the pillars of the International Mental Fitness Initiative which has been launched by Mr. Knight, and which is focused on building resilient communities across the world in the face of climate change, conflict and humanitarian crises.
Mr. Knight, a former island scholar, has worked alongside cancer survivors through the Macmillan Cancer Support, one of the largest cancer charities in the world.
He has received training in a wide range of areas such as Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for insomnia and suicide prevention, mental health in complex emergencies, and working with male victims of sexual violence.
He is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and received a MSc in Mental Health and Psychological Therapies from Queen Mary University of London and a MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Keele University in the UK.
In addition, he has a MA in Diplomacy, International Law and International Economics from SOAS, University of London, and a Diploma in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from the Alberto Hurtado University in Chile.
He is fluent in Spanish and spent more than 10 years working with the United Nations. As head of the Communication and Information Sector of the UNESCO Regional Office for Central America, Colombia and Mexico, he implemented a series of mental health initiatives including the Central American Network of Psychological First Aid Volunteers, and the Support Group for Journalists.
He also conceptualized and organized the Global Conference on the Mental Health and Security of Refugee Journalists.
In addition to the foregoing, he launched the Working Group on the Resilience and Integrated Security of Refugee Journalists which brought together over two dozen local, regional and international entities including other UN agencies and NGOs.
That’s some good stuff right there.
KUDOS To Mr. Jamion Knight!!!!
I almost Wish I was still at an age to become involved in THIS “International Mental Fitness Initiative” …… A Small Piece of Which will be Based in Antigua/Barbuda. …. The Country of Birth of Mr. Knight …..
Thank you Sir for THIS MASSIVE “Give Back” to the Country of your Birth …. after assisting so many Other Countries in Our World …….
…… What an opportunity for the Young and Not so Young Professionals (and soon-to-be Professionals) to Become involved in THIS international Effort!!!!
I am particularly Intrigued by the Fact that 2 Countries of Our Motherland (Kenya and Rwanda) are being Targeted along with Costa Rica, Syria, and Sierra Leone……..
Having a small piece of This “New Age”, “Advanced Technological” Collaborative International Mental Fitness Initiative based HERE will Definitely Help Us Here In Antigua/Barbuda to Spring Forward in Addressing this Great Need that exists Locally in Our Population (especially our children & Youth) for Mental Fitness!!
A popular saying of my Father is: “The Mind is THE Thing!” …. What We Can Conceive AND Believe ….. We WILL Achieve……
Mr. Jaimion Knight WILL Succeed in THIS Initiative……..!!! And I Look Forward (with God’s Help and Our Continued Prayers) for ANU/BAR To Lead The Way to Mental Fitness in THIS Area of the World …….
……. “We Likkle but We Tallawah” …….
God Speed Mr. Knight!! Keeping My Ears Close to the Ground on This Initiative….. With your Training and Past Experiences in So Many Necessary Areas ….. I See ONLY SUCCESS Ahead…… Asking ALL Prayer Worriers ….. Let Us All Keep THIS Initiative in Your Global Prayer Efforts… until It is Realized…… May God Be PRAISED ALWAYS!!!!!
This is a great initiative and one that is needed
We appreciate your time and service
Mr knight, I applaud your initiative and the fact that it is so timely makes it all the more important. You walk around the city on any given day and you see the young men and to a lesser extent young women, with unfocused eyes going to and fro. The teens smoking weed, those of us suffering from cancer and other diseases. Thank you sir
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BLAH BLAH BLAH.