New mental health initiative launches digital platform on World Mental Health Day

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From left, Minister of State with responsibility for Social Transformation Senator Samantha Marshall and WISH Founder Chaneil Imhoff.
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The Wadadli Initiative for Self-Care and Healing (WISH) marked World Mental Health Day yesterday with the launch of its official website and social media platforms, establishing a new digital frontier for mental health advocacy in the Caribbean.

During the ceremony at the Department of Environment, WISH Founder Chaneil Imhoff highlighted the urgent need to address mental health challenges in the region.

“For too long, we’ve treated mental health as a foreign concept, something that happens to ‘other people’ or in ‘other places’.

“We’ve hidden behind the facade of our beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, pretending that beneath the surface, there isn’t a rising tide of mental health challenges threatening to engulf us,” Imhoff said

She emphasised that the initiative aims to provide a safe space and Caribbean-centered platform for conversations on mental health and holistic wellness.

“The truth is, mental health is not a luxury or an afterthought,” she stressed. “It’s not something we can afford to ignore any longer. It’s as essential as the air we breathe, as vital as the water we drink.”

Senator Samantha Marshall, Minister of State with responsibility for Social Transformation, delivered congratulatory remarks, acknowledging recent government efforts, including the acquisition of a new facility for patients currently at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, and emphasising that more work is needed to enhance the local mental wellness landscape.

The initiative has garnered support from various stakeholders, including Minister of Information Hon Melford Nicholas, Gail Christian, and organisations such as the Halo Foundation, Department of Environment, and the Ricardo Barriteau Drue Foundation.

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