The Mental Health Commission and the Poinciana Mental Health Advisory Council will hold a public meeting on Thursday, 13 Nov.
Residents will have the opportunity to hear directly from the commission and the council about ongoing work to strengthen the mental health system, said the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability in a press release.
Health Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, who will be in attendance, said “Mental health is an essential part of our national wellbeing, as it impacts our families, workplaces, and the strength of our communities.
“The NCFC Government is committed to building an equitable mental health system that is compassionate and sustainable, by strengthening our services. This community meeting is of vital importance as this provides a platform to all living on island to hear the government’s approach on addressing mental health.”
Ebanks-Wilks added, “The Ministry’s policy makers and I are able to listen to the voices of those with lived experiences, which are key to strengthening the mental health system in the Cayman Islands.”
The Mental Health Commission’s priorities for the next few years paint a picture of both urgency and opportunity, building infrastructure to meet the needs of an ageing and changing population, ensuring equitable access to affordable treatment, closing longstanding care gaps and improving coordination and training across sectors, said the release.
For the Poinciana Mental Health Advisory Council, a new advisory body focused on oversight and accountability at Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre, the goal is to ensure that policy and practice remain anchored in humanity and community voice.
Fiona McDougall, chair of the Cayman Islands Mental Health Commission, noted that, “Mental health care works best when it is built with the people it serves.”
She added, “The Commission supports strengthening access and affordability, enhancing coordination and training across services, and working closely with partners to ensure community voices inform care across the landscape of mental health services in the Cayman Islands.”
The meeting will include short presentations by the Mental Health Commission and Poinciana Mental Health Advisory Council leadership, followed by a discussion and opportunities for the public to ask questions.
The ministry is encouraging residents to attend and share their perspectives on how Cayman can continue to build a resilient system that is compassionate and accessible to all who are in need of it.
The public meeting will be held at 6:30pm in Constitution Hall, George Town. Attendance is free and open to all, and refreshments will be served.
For more information, contact the Mental Health Commission on [email protected]
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