Teenagers who highlighted some of the the myriad struggles facing Cayman’s young people at the Alex Panton Foundation Youth Mental Health symposium over the weekend will soon be bringing their message to local politicians.
Premier Wayne Panton said he and fellow attendees at the symposium were so impressed and moved by the six teens, that he was inviting them, and their fellow members of the foundation’s Youth Ambassadors Programme, to speak to caucus – made up of the government’s ministers and backbenchers – so other politicians could hear what they had to say.
Panton and his wife Jane set up the foundation in memory of their son Alex, who suffered from depression and who took his own life in 2010 at the age of 16. While Jane is the chairman of the non-profit, her husband said he has remained somewhat in the background because he did not want his involvement in politics to have any potential negative impact on the work of the foundation.
But now, as premier, he said, he was taking steps to ensure that the voices of Cayman’s youth are heard by policymakers – voices that expressed eloquently throughout Saturday’s symposium the struggles, fears and hopes of the islands’ children.
The recent suicide of another teen in Cayman was at the forefront of the thoughts of many of the speakers and attendees at the event Saturday.
The premier, just before extending the invitation to the youth ambassadors to attend a caucus meeting that will be specially convened, shared a little of what he and his wife are experiencing.
“When everyone is gone, and it’s just the two of us, we’re both crying,” he said. “We’re both going through the emotions that every other grieving set of parents has had to go through, and we desperately want to try to make a difference and change the outcomes for the lives of so many of our incredible young people, with incredible potential, in this country.”
He added, “Today, I am the premier of this country. I am in a position to allow the voices of people in this country to count and, in particular, allow the voices of young people in this country to count.”
Inviting all the members of the Youth Ambassador Programme on stage, he told them, “I want you to know, and we want your parents to know, that we want to know your perspective. Too often, the voice of the youth is paid lip service to and the voice of the youth is not properly represented.”
Panton said Minister of Social Development André Ebanks had also approached the teenagers to ask them to give input on some of the social development legislation that he plans to bring.
He added, “I want these young people to reflect their views, and their feelings, and their goals, and their aspirations, and their dreams for a life in this country today and tomorrow to the policymakers of this country because it is critically important that they do so.”
‘No-one is OK’
The panel of six teenagers at the symposium led the attendees Saturday in a moment of silence to remember those who had been lost to suicide, substance abuse and other issues relating to mental health.
During their panel discussion – some of which will be shared with the politicians in caucus – moderator Cristin Jackson asked what challenges teenagers were facing in current uncertain times. One of the panelists, 17-year-old Isabella Do Vale, responded that it was important that people realise that everyone is struggling right now.
D’hani Bodden and Jhadari Lumley, both 17, warned of the dangers of burnout for teens who are taking care of younger siblings or doing part-time jobs to help out their parents, whose jobs may have been impacted by COVID.
Lilly Haug, 15, described how academic stress and pressure is leading to anxiety and depression, as well as social media addiction and substance abuse, for some.
Soleil Parkinson, 18, addressed the loss of social connection and affection that the pandemic has wrought for children and teens, as mask wearing and social distancing has impacted the ways they can show their emotions.
“Masks have caused a large issue for connection for us,” Parkinson said, “as we are no longer able to use facial expressions to show how we’re feeling, and having to switch to learning how to use our voices. So, there’s a big struggle with learning how to balance being safe and healthy, while also getting enough connection and affection to feel happy, supportive and loved in our environment.”
Jackson told the audience, “In summary, no-one is OK. And as youth, we have some really heavy questions on our mind. Are we going to be able to sustainably develop the Cayman Islands? Are we ever going to bring down the cost of living? Are we going to be able to strengthen our mental health support system?”
To watch the youth ambassador’s panel discussion and the entire symposium, click here.
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Oh God bless you!! This is the EXACT same blueprint that I am trying to establish where I reside in the states, in trying to enlist the policymakers. Suicide is the second leading cause of death from ages 10-34 which equates to one death every 11 minutes in our country. These statistics have a face; it could be our children, friends, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. I decided to try and take up the banner to help in this arena and am asking for a crisis center where a young adult won’t be afraid and can walk into. You are a shining beacon in the world of today!