Prime Minister Andrew Holness has paid tribute to Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry Frederick “Freddie” Hickling, who died at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), last night. He was 74.
“Professor Hickling was one of the preeminent voices in the field of psychiatry in Jamaica and the Caribbean. He had more than 100 publications and was a leading member in the University of the West Indies (UWI) community,” Holness said
In 2012, Professor Hickling received the Order of Distinction (Commander) from the government of Jamaica for his globally-recognized pioneering research work in community mental health and advocacy in the field of psychiatry.
He was Head of the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry at the UWI Mona Campus and also served as Executive Director of the Caribbean Institute of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
The cause of death was not disclosed but the family, in a message posted on social media, said “Our family bids him farewell with our prayers, and to the music of Miles Davis, Third World, Buju Banton, Harold Butler, Morgan Heritage, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. He lived with courage and love. Farewell beloved.”
