Written By: Marlene Freeman

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has underscored the need for an expansion of mental health support for Jamaicans.

His call comes as he reacted to the killing of two children in Moneague St. Ann on Tuesday.

He described the death of two children as a terrible loss.

The children have been identified as 3-year-old Shamir Henry and his brother, one-year-old Amir Saunders, of swamp District in Moneague.

The father of one of the children is in custody.

The Opposition Leader also said there is need for deeper public education about substance abuse.

And the PNP candidate for South-East St. Ann, Dr. Kenneth Russell said the deaths of the children marked a dark day for the country.

He also pointed to an urgent need to address the mental health and family-related issues that plague the society.