For many Jamaicans, the mention of Bellevue Hospital evokes images of a ‘madhouse’ or ‘mad people,’ a perception deeply rooted in its history since its establishment in 1861 as the Jamaica Lunatic Asylum. This negative stigma has persisted for over a century, but Jamaica’s Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, is determined to change this narrative. Speaking at a recent Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange, Tufton emphasized the need to rebrand the institution to foster a more positive public perception of mental health care. ‘The name Bellevue itself carries a stigma,’ Tufton stated, adding that renaming the hospital is a consideration he will recommend as part of broader reforms. The hospital is set for redevelopment, with plans to construct a 100-bed facility to address acute mental health cases. The 50-acre site will be segmented, with portions dedicated to mental wellness and other health-related purposes. Tufton stressed the importance of repositioning Bellevue as a place of healing and support, rather than a source of societal ostracism. Historically, Bellevue began as a mental health facility in the 1840s, evolving from the Jamaica Lunatic Asylum to its current name in 1946. Today, it serves approximately 400 patients across 23 wards and is the largest psychiatric institution in the English-speaking Caribbean. Since 2010, the hospital has undergone significant reforms, focusing on de-stigmatization, decentralization, and reducing long-term institutionalization. The goal is to rehabilitate patients swiftly and reintegrate them into their communities, marking a shift toward a more progressive approach to mental health care in Jamaica.