Over 12,600 sought help for mental health in 2022
(CNS): As Cayman marked World Mental Health Day yesterday (10 October), the Health Service Authority (HSA) urged people to pay attention to their mental well-being. More than 12,600 people sought mental health services here last year, according to the Mental Health Commission. Dr Omotayo Bernard, who heads the Behavioural Health Department at the HSA, said people should pay attention to their own mental health and support those who are suffering.
“It’s important to understand that a person’s mental health can have a significant impact on their physical health and their ability to socialise, function and contribute to their communities,” she said.
“It’s crucial to address mental health issues as soon as possible. Our world is constantly changing, and we need to proactively address the challenges that affect our daily lives. Ignoring these issues won’t help, so if you notice that your mental health is affecting your work, relationships with family and colleagues, seek help. I urge the community to support each other, talk about mental health and access care if needed,” Dr Bernard advised.
The largest group accessing mental health services in 2022 was the 25-44 age group, followed by the under-18 age group.
“People, especially our youth, should not be afraid to access mental health care,” Dr Bernard added. “We may not all be affected at the same level, but we have all needed to, at some point, assess and take care of our mental health. Therefore, we should support and encourage each other to be open and access care.”
Adolescents with mental health issues can access services through Alex’s Place, located on the main campus of the George Town Hospital. The Alex Panton Foundation and the Ministry of Health and Wellness partnered to establish the facility, which was opened in January, to provide mental health care to people aged between 10 and 20.
To mark this year’s theme, “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”, the HSA is having a symposium today (Wednesday, 11 October) on the subject, which is open to the public. The Behavioural Health Department will host a public panel discussion on the local human rights legislation and its implications for those with mental health challenges.
The event will be held in the Hibiscus Conference Rooms, George Town Hospital, between 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Panelists will include HSA and Behavioral Health Associates Cayman (BHAC) Psychiatrist Dr Marc Lockhart, HSA Legal Counsel Garcia Kelly, Chair of the Cayman Islands Mental Health Commission Fiona McDougall, and a representative of the Human Rights Commission.
Residents across the Cayman Islands can access mental health support services from its Behavioural Health Department year-round. Another point of access to care for people having ongoing difficulties with community adjustment and interpersonal relations is the HSA’s Day Centre. This facility provides a supportive learning environment, clinical assistance, and social support. The multi-disciplinary team comprises mental health nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers.
To book an appointment, call 949-8600 or visit the Behavioural Health Department at the Smith Road Medical Centre, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
See messages marking World Mental Health Day from Health Minister Sabrina Turner
and the Alex Panton Foundation.
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Category: Health, Mental Health
Eighteen mental cases have their own house by the clock tower and make about $150,000 pa. They’re doing very well.
What he said!
While there is a mental health issues with the local population. We should not be importing it and being of sound mind with no mental health problems should be part of the immigration evaluation when considering PR and subsequently status. Eventually becoming a Caymanian and a drain on the absolutely inadequate mental health services available.
It’s astonishing that people disagree with you when you say that we should ensure people are mentally stable before importing them as workers to the island.
Medical testing/declaration is already apart of the requirements. The problem is, people lie.
Spend. Spend. Spend.
Seems about right. That’s 1 in 5 people based on cayman population which is consistent with the percent seeking mental health help in major western European counties and elsewhere.
How does approximately 15% of the population of Cayman needing mental health support compare to other jurisdictions? Is Cayman average or materially different in this health support need?
its about the same or slightly less than most western nations.
This is a frightening statistic- consider that if the current population of these blessed isles is around say, 75,000 then the number of patients seeking mental health assistance- 12,600 according to the esteemed Dr Bernard- represents nearly 17% of the population; or, putting it another way, 17 out of every 100 persons residing here may have mental health issues. Wow…
These are the ones seeking help .. what about the ones who aren’t, because they are just struggling without realising or cannot afford help
it the system…ppl sufferring financually as cist of living went through roof and salries have not moved…it only going get worse…sad to say!
It is getting worse! Butterfield and probably the other banks are now charging money to use their online system .. which they introduced originally to save themselves work! We REALLY need banking regulations! In the US, Biden is seeking to cut bank fees .. its time we looked at what is going on here.
Many more need it!
not surprised….many expats come here trying to run from various issues.
for the rest of us….you will need help after dealing with the cig and the civil service for more than 5 mins…
Do you ever wake up and think, hmm today I’m not going to bring separation into this?
We will do that when the expats lead the way
You mean when they get the bell outa here . Tired a dem Thinking they know every thing about every thing.
That last part is so true. The micro managing and bullying that goes on in the civil and public service is a huge contributor. The same people promoting mental health are the same ones that cause it to deteriorate in the first place.
A very grave situation especially when we don’t have a dedicated facility for one’s that are a danger to themselves and others. And this is the figure for ones that sought help. I wonder how many more are out there because the refuse to acknowledge their predicament and or their families fail to intervene.
HSA must have had figures from previous years and our leadership failed to address the growing problem. All to often we hear of family members being assaulted, sometimes murdered but yet there’s not enough support systems in place to prevent these tragic events.
What’s the status on the East End facility? This is a joke for so called world class island of 85K people. Sweeping this under the rug isn’t working but do our politicians realise it will come back to haunt them?