Fiona McDougall has been appointed as the new chair of the Cayman Islands Mental Health Commission.
McDougall, of local company Healthy Futures, has been a member of the commission since 2017.
She was appointed by Cabinet last week with her tenure effective from 1 Jan. 2023 until 31 Dec. 2025, according to a gazetted government notice.
She has replaced Dr. Marc Lockhart, who opted not to return to the post after expressing frustration over the pace of progress on the long-term mental health facility, among other concerns.
Lockhart, in an interview with the Cayman Compass, explained the rationale for his decision, saying, “I do not feel that we as a community are doing enough from a mental health standpoint. I feel that statements are made, words are spoken but the action aspect of things falls way below what is spoken.”
The Health Ministry, in a statement responding to Lockhart’s concerns, said it was committed to opening the facility, with construction anticipated to be completed “sometime in March”, though full “phased opening” could take as long as a year.
Commission members returned
Cabinet has re-appointed Cline Glidden Jr. as deputy chair, also through 31 Dec. 2025.
Nurse Dympna Carten and Carla (Jackie) Neil were also both re-appointed as members for the same term.
They are joined by Dr. Omotayo J. Bernard, who has been appointed as a member effective immediately until 31 Dec. 2025. Other commissioners include Dr. Enoka Richens, Sutton Burke and Cheryl Myles.
The membership of the Commission will now consist of:
Fiona McDougall Chair
Alexander Henderson Deputy Chair
Cline Glidden Jr. Deputy ChairMembers
Dympna Carten
Dr Enoka RichensSutton Burke
Carla (Jackie) Neil
Dr Omotayo J. Bernard
Cheryl Myles
Ministry of Health or nominee secretary/ex-officio
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