Mental Health
Poinciana price tag rises to almost $23M and counting
(CNS): Health Minister Sabrina Turner, under pressure to answer questions in parliament on Thursday about the new residential mental health facility in East End, said the cost so far had surpassed the original price tag by well over $6 million. Turner denied that she or her ministry team were responsible for the problems and delays […]
Drug council promotes acting director to top job
(CNS): Brenda Watson has been appointed as the new director of the National Drug Council following an open recruitment process, marking a new chapter in the organisation’s ongoing efforts to enhance its impact on public health and education around substance misuse, officials said. Watson, who has been with the NDC for ten years and has […]
Minister can’t say when mental health facility will open
(CNS): Answering a parliamentary question on Wednesday, Health Minister Sabrina Turner was unable to say when the new residential mental health centre will open because the decision lies with the Public Works Department and building inspectors. The facility, which will be called Poinciana, is now well behind schedule as the completion date has been put […]
Foundation launches confidential helpline for kids
(CNS): The Alex Panton Foundation has launched Cayman Kids Helpline for young children and teenagers who need help or support or just someone to talk to. The leading advocacy organisation for children’s mental health in the Cayman Islands said the aim of this dedicated resource was to provide vital support and assistance to young people. […]
Fleeing man with weapon arrested in GT school
(CNS): Police officers arrested a man armed with a “bladed weapon” Friday morning after he ran into the George Town Primary School. The RCIPS said that the man, who was apparently experiencing mental health issues, had been seen with the weapon at around 7:45am on the waterfront behaving erratically and aggressively.
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 […]
Mental health facility project delayed again
(CNS): The opening of the much anticipated long-term residential mental health facility in East End has been delayed by another three months. Despite stating less than two months ago the project would be finished in June, Health Minister Sabrina Turner has now said the facility will not be open until September.
Counsellors see increase in traumatised patients
(CNS): More and more clients are now presenting to the Department of Counselling Services (DCS) with complex and varied problems that they have endured over a long period of time as a result of multiple traumatic events in their lives. This week’s edition of the health ministry’s Spotlight looks closely at mental health, and Jason Dunkley, […]
CIG buys Mariners Cove for wellness park
(CNS): The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the Cayman Islands Government has closed a deal to purchase the site of an old oceanfront resort that was destroyed in Hurricane Ivan and never redeveloped. Mariners Cove in Prospect, Health Minister Sabrina Turner’s own constituency, has been abandoned since September 2004, and despite various private sector […]
Turner blames communication breakdown for resignation
(CNS): Health Minister Sabrina Turner has blamed “a breakdown in the communication flow” for Dr Marc Lockhart’s resignation from the Mental Health Commission, which he said was due to delays with the Long Term Residential Mental Health Facility (LTMHF). Turner said the ministry was understaffed when she took over with numerous people in acting roles, […]
McTaggart blames premier for delay on MHF
(CNS): Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart has taken aim at Premier Wayne Panton in the fallout from the resignation of Dr Marc Lockhart from the Mental Health Commission over the lack of movement on the mental health facility by the health ministry. The Progressives leader said that the situation was “unacceptable and should be an embarrassment […]
