World Mental Health Day Message from the Alex Panton Foundation

On this World Mental Health Day 2024, we join the global community in reflecting on this year’s theme: “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.” While this theme emphasises the importance of mental health in our professional environments, at the Alex Panton Foundation, we believe it is equally essential to prioritise mental health in our schools and among our youth. Our foundation is deeply committed to this cause, and today we want to highlight why it’s critical that we focus on the mental health of the next generation.

The workplace is undoubtedly a vital space where mental health must be prioritised. Yet, the foundations of mental well-being are often built long before we enter the professional world. For our young people, school is their workplace. It is where they spend most of their time, navigating not only academic pressures but also social dynamics, personal development, and in many cases, the early signs of mental health challenges. If we want to foster resilient, mentally healthy adults who thrive in the workforce, we must start by prioritising mental health in our schools and communities.

At the Alex Panton Foundation, we have seen firsthand the profound impact mental health issues can have on young people and their families. Through our advocacy, education, and support programmes, we are dedicated to creating safe spaces for young people to express themselves, seek help, and receive the support they need. Our community outreach initiatives work tirelessly to raise awareness, break the stigma surrounding mental health, and empower our youth to take charge of their emotional and psychological well-being. We do this through all of our programmes but most specifically in Primary schools with our Emotional Literacy Programme (ELP) and in High Schools and young adults growing into their careers with our Youth Ambassadors Programme (YAP).

This World Mental Health Day is an important reminder to everyone in our community: mental health should never be an afterthought. It must be a priority in everything we do. Whether in the workplace, the classroom, or at home, we all have a role to play in fostering environments where mental health is supported and nurtured. By investing in the mental well-being of our young people, we are shaping a healthier, more resilient future for the Cayman Islands.

Today, I call on our community to continue to be champions for mental health. Let us not only advocate for practicing mindfulness in the workplace but also make mental health awareness and emotional literacy a priority in our schools, where the foundation for lifelong well-being is laid. The spread of mental health awareness and compassion starts with each one of us. 

I am reminded of the simple but profound African proverb – “each one, teach one” – this is how positive attitudes and knowledge are spread throughout the world.  The Alex Panton Foundation will continue to lead this charge with our many programmes and initiatives, but we need your support. Together, we can ensure that every young person in the Cayman Islands feels valued, supported, and equipped to navigate the challenges they face.

Let us take this opportunity to recommit ourselves to the awareness of mental health and treatments and techniques available for optimal mental health and remind our community that there is no health without mental health.

Jane Panton

Founder and Chairperson

Alex Panton Foundation