Mental Health
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 […]
Psychiatrist resigns in the face of ministry inertia
(CNS): Local psychiatrist Dr Marc Lockhart has resigned in frustration as chair of the Mental Health Commission after his efforts to keep the long-awaited mental health facility project moving forward have been met with an “anaemic response”. Speaking to CNS, he said the blockage was inside the ministry as Minister Sabrina Turner, like her predecessors, […]
Diabetes most common factor in local COVID deaths
(CNS): Of the three dozen deaths in Cayman meeting the local definition for a COVID-19 death, one-third of the victims suffered from diabetes while eight had chronic kidney disease, according to the Public Health Department. Although 23 patients had hypertension at the time of their deaths, officials said in the latest edition of Public Health […]
Mental health legislation
Sherene López Monzon writes: Firstly, thank you to Health Minister Sabrina Turner and her ministry for seeking to ensure that our legislation actively supports best practices for mental health patients. Secondly, may I suggest proactive legislation be put in place when dealing with and collecting mental health patients? I read with much interest and heartfelt […]
Laws revised to deal with custody of mentally ill
(CNS): Two pieces of legislation aimed at improving local mental health services have recently been gazetted. The Mental Health (Amendment) Act, 2022 clarifies the procedure relating to emergency detention orders, provides for orders for protective custody, and for restrictions to post and electronic networks by patients, among other things. The Mental Health Commission (Amendment) Act, […]
Mental health doctor urges teens to ask for help
(CNS): In light of recent events, Dr Erica Lam, a member of the Alex Panton Foundation board of directors and a consultant clinical psychologist, said it is really important for teenagers and families to know where to find and reach out for help with mental health challenges. Earlier this week a local teenage girl tragically […]
Protesting woman arrested for indecent exposure
(CNS): Pressure from politicians and the public finally saw the woman who has been protesting outside the Government Administration Building arrested Thursday for indecent exposure. Police have now confirmed that at about 11:30 yesterday morning, a 51-year-old woman was taken into custody outside the GAB on Elgin Avenue in relation to the lewd acts she […]
Officials silent over plight of protesting woman
(CNS): Concerns are mounting over a woman suffering mental health issues who has been protesting for months about what she believes is her mistreatment at the hands of local psychiatrists. However, officials have remained silent on how they intend to deal with her increasingly lewd public performances outside the Government Administration Building.
Minister promises improved mental health care
(CNS): Health and Wellness Minister Sabrina Turner has made a clear public commitment to improve access to quality mental health care in the Cayman Islands for everyone. In a statement released Sunday to mark World Mental Health Day, she said she hoped to strengthen the existing mental health services, provide specific insurance coverage and promote […]
AG: Suicide is a medical issue, not a crime
(CNS): Attorney General Samuel Bulgin told his parliamentary colleagues on Monday that suicide is a mental health issue and not a crime, as he presented an amendment to the Penal Code to decriminalise it. The law was passed unanimously by members on both sides. No one in modern times who has tried to take their […]
Work restarts on mental health facility
(CNS): Work on the much needed and long delayed mental health facility has resumed, after the project was halted by the COVID-19 lockdown in March, officials have said. Government re-started roadworks and gave construction workers the green light to return to sites back in June, and it is not clear why work has only just […]
