Mental health is in crisis in the Cayman Islands.
The new and large facility in East End, built to address the mentally ill in Cayman, was started in 2019. Construction of the facility was held in abeyance during the coronavirus pandemic. It is now set to open in March 2023.
Mentally ill Caymanians are being held in Jamaica and the US until the long-term East End facility can receive them.
Dr. Marc Lockhart, chairman of the Cayman Islands Mental Health Commission, has resigned from his position.
The concrete structures have been built in East End, but the facility isn’t functioning, isn’t staffed, isn’t connected to utilities, and is unavailable to receive mentally ill Caymanians who are being held abroad.
Dr. Lockhart said he will not stop advocating for mental health patients, but that he will be more effective working in the community than as chairman of the Mental Health Commission.
We wish Dr. Lockhart well in his efforts to open the new East End facility as soon as possible.
Nan Socolow
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