Statement for Health & Wellness in recognition of World Mental Health Day

Statement by the Hon. Sabrina Turner, Minister for Health & Wellness in recognition of World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is a global observance celebrated on October 10 every year. The day is designated for mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. The 2023 theme, “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”, helps to reframe the conversation around mental health and wellness from a ‘want’ or ‘need’ to a decided must, actualised in the form of a right.

This year’s theme explicitly designates mental health as a universal human right, one with opportunities that are accessible to and that benefit all people. This year’s theme focuses not only on the right of access to good quality services, but also protection from mental health risks, as well as the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.

Mental Health is a key priority not only for my Ministry, which for the first time includes “Wellness” in its name, but also for this administration. This has been demonstrated in our ongoing commitment to bring the Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre across the finish line. Indeed, the successful opening of Alex’s Place earlier this year, along with the continuous enhancing of programmes that directly impact individuals and families (including the Positive Parenting Programme delivered by the Family Resource Centre and the purchase and ongoing development of our nation’s first wellness park) – are all tangible actions and programmes that stand in testament to this Government’s commitment to the mental health and wellness of the Caymanian people .

All of these undertakings will benefit the people across the islands; some, admittedly, are long overdue, while others are welcome assets to the toolbox of governance.

My Caymanian people - Rest assured, this is just the beginning.

Our aim is to proactively consider the entire landscape of Cayman’s mental health service offerings, to identify opportunities for greater collaboration and complementary services among our public, private and NPO partners, to vigorously address existing gaps, and to be, all in all, more intentional and systematic as we seek to re-shape and enhance the continuum of mental health care across our three islands.

all, it is not enough to simply proclaim that something is a right. It is our responsibility to ensure that there is a tangible component to the implementation of said right that our people can understand, access, and from which they can benefit.

We have done much in a short time – but there is more work yet to be done. This administration, my amazing team at the Ministry, and I all remain committed to bringing this country to the highest standard of mental health, ensuring that all Caymanians can have the chance to live FULL, FULLFILLING and BLESSED LIVES.

Remember – mental health is JUST AS important as physical health.