Caribbean youth now have central hub for mental health

Children and young people from Barbados and 16 other countries across the Caribbean now have access to the region’s first comprehensive regional mental health resources support website, www.youngcaribbeanminds.com.

The initiative was launched and spearheaded by UNICEF, USAID, and Let’s Unpack It – a youth-led NGO working to make mental health a priority in the Caribbean through advocacy and education – in collaboration with governments and young people from the 17 Caribbean countries, The University of the West Indies, The Healthy Caribbean Coalition and Caribbean Airlines.

Developed based on research indicating a need for increased mental health support, the website includes resources such as Directories of Government Mental Health Services where young people can find trusted mental health resources available in their territory/country; and Young Caribbean Minds: A Technology-enhanced Mental Health and Well-being Workbook, co-authored by youth from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member countries, Suriname, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The website also features other mental health resources such as games, videos, apps, and courses.

In introducing the resources at the launch event, Bertrand Moses, Child Protection Officer (MHPSS), UNICEF, stated that the resources were developed based on a UNICEF U-Report survey indicating that 73 per cent of young people felt the need to reach out for mental health support, thus needing guidance on how to access support.

UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean Area, Pieter Bult said the UN children’s agency was thrilled to collaborate with multiple sectors to bolster young people’s mental health in the Caribbean.

“This initiative signifies the growing importance placed on mental well-being. By providing young people with the tools and space they need, we pave the way for a brighter future,” he said.

President of Let’s Unpack It, David Johnson asserted that access to support and high-quality resources is key to preventing poor mental health outcomes among children and youth.

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) emerged as a strong supporter of the initiative. The airline’s Chief Commercial Officer, Martin Aeberli, highlighted the programme’s alignment with their commitment to education, community, and well-being. CAL has pledged to assist in distributing the mental health workbooks regionally and is sponsoring a unique opportunity – two complimentary tickets to a CAL destination – for one lucky young person who completes the workbook.

To support the use of the resources on the new website, UNICEF will also provide an incentive of a US$500 award to a school or organisation that uses the workbook resource with children and young people in group settings.

(PR/BT)