News

The Ministry of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the Health Services Authority (HSA) and various public, non-profit and private stakeholders, announces Inspire – A Youth Meetup to Speak Out, Cayman’s first youth “non-summit” event. This landmark event, set for Monday, 21 October 2024, at the Lions Centre, aims to empower young people across the Cayman Islands by giving them a platform to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns about mental health and other community challenges they face.

The event is a significant step in addressing the mounting mental health challenges within the youth community. With mental health concerns on the rise, this youth-focused initiative will provide opportunities for young people to take charge, share their experiences, and influence the services and policies that directly affect their lives.

“Mental health has been at the forefront of our minds for quite some time, whether it was due to the stressors caused by the pandemic or more recent events in our community,” states Hon. Sabrina Turner, Minister for Health & Wellness. “Mental wellness and mental ill health are health issues, and as such they have been identified as a key area within our National Health Strategy. However, we recognise that there is a need for action now, and our hope is that this event can help young people by providing them a safe space to voice feelings and ideas, giving them access to service providers, and teaching them tools that will help strengthen their resilience.”

HSA CEO, Lizzette Yearwood, emphasised the importance of the event, noting, “The escalating mental health crisis, especially among youth, calls for immediate and robust community support. The HSA is committed to addressing this crisis by fostering open conversations about mental health through initiatives such as this youth event alongside the Ministry of Health and Wellness and other stakeholders, and providing necessary resources through our Behavioural Health Department and Alex’s Place.”

To engage and empower its target audience, which is expected to be over 300 youths aged 12-17 from Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, this event will be slightly unconventional compared to traditional conferences. With a focus on peer-led discussions and interactive workshops, youth will take the lead in addressing passion topics that are of importance to them, which can include mental health, building healthy relationships, self-care, and other relevant issues. The event will run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with interactive breakout sessions led by both youth and adult moderators, allowing students to attend sessions that resonate most with them. A youth after-party will follow from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, featuring fun activities, a DJ, food, and a photo booth. The event will be free for all public and private high-school students (Year 7/ Grade 6 and up).

The idea for the youth event originated from a meeting held in June at the HSA, where key stakeholders gathered to discuss the current state of mental health in the Cayman Islands. Representatives from various governmental and non-governmental organisations, including the Mental Health Commission, the Alex Panton Foundation, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), National Drug Council, DCFS, along with private sector mental health providers, highlighted the urgent need for a youth-focused mental health initiative.

One of the key takeaways from these discussions was the critical need for a national youth mental health plan and strategies to address the increase in crisis mental health presentations among youth. This event aims to help fill that gap by drawing inspiration from international youth summits such as those in the United States, Australia, and Canada, which have successfully influenced national mental health policies.

This Ministry led initiative is supported by the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA), Dart, CINICO, Valour Foundation, and the Alex Panton Foundation, among others. Local businesses and community organisations interested in sponsoring the event can contact laveda.thompson@hsa.ky for more details.

By bringing the community together and amplifying the voices of our youth, the Inspire – A Youth Meetup to Speak Out aims to make a lasting impact on the mental health landscape of the Cayman Islands.

For more information and registration details, visit https://www.gov.ky/health-wellness/Inspire