KINGSTON, Jamaica —
In a passionate call to action, mental health advocate and founder of Talk Therapy, Lexis Haynes, is challenging Jamaican men to reclaim their critical role within the home, arguing that the country’s future depends on it.
Speaking during a community outreach initiative that spanned Rema, Waltham Park, Chisholm Avenue, and parts of East Kingston on Saturday, Haynes said she has witnessed firsthand the emotional cost of absent fathers across the island.
“We don’t need statistics to see the effects,” Haynes stated. “The cry of fathers, the cry of mothers — it’s the same story everywhere: too many homes without a strong male figure. That vacuum is being filled by the wrong influences.”
Haynes emphasized that Talk Therapy’s latest campaign is designed to rebuild the idea of fatherhood as a powerful, stabilizing force.
“Our mission is simple: remind men how vital their presence is. Not through material things, but through everyday moments — by being there, by showing up,” she said.
The absence of consistent father figures, she noted, has contributed to rising violence and social instability.
“Children look for leadership. If it’s not coming from inside the home, they’ll find it elsewhere — often in the wrong places,” Haynes warned.
During Saturday’s event, a single father shared his story of raising his young son alone, recounting both the hardships and unexpected rewards of navigating traditional maternal duties.
“It was tough — doing the cooking, the washing, the nurturing. It gave me a whole new respect for what mothers do,” he said. “But the bond I built with my son, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
He also lamented the decline of community involvement in child-rearing.
“There was a time when everyone helped raise a child — now, many parents don’t want anyone speaking to their kids, even for their own good,” he said.
Haynes echoed the importance of active fatherhood, not as a title, but as a daily responsibility.
“Being a father isn’t about how much money you send. It’s about showing up — at the school games, the graduations, the doctor visits,” she said.
“Our children don’t just need providers. They need protectors, mentors, and role models.”
In a nation grappling with social challenges, Haynes believes that rebuilding the family unit — with fathers at the center — could be the first step toward healing.
