Human Rights Lobby Group Stand Up For Jamaica (SUFJ) is urging the government to treat the rise in school violence as a national emergency.

This call comes against the background of more than 50 violent incidents recorded in schools  over the past year.

In a statement, Executive Director Carla Gullotta warned that the surge in violence is not only a safety issue, but it’s also  impacting the mental health of Jamaica’s youth severely. 

She emphasized that this is more than just a safety concern, it’s a mental health crisis.

Gullotta further highlighted that school violence is closely linked to broader community violence, creating a cycle of trauma that threatens the future of the nation’s children.

In a statement SUFJ says studies show that 60.8% of high school students in Jamaica have witnessed violence in their schools, with over 1 in 4 children suffering from mental health issues like anxiety, depression and PTSD.

It says experts warn that prolonged exposure to such violence is stunting emotional development, damaging academic performance and increasing aggressive behaviour.

Gullotta stressed that without timely intervention, an entire generation could grow up with untreated trauma, leading to worsening social instability.

She is advocating for an increase in mental health professionals in schools, the implementation of restorative justice programs and a nationwide effort to address community violence.