By Robert Andre Emmanuel
The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWIFIC) yesterday hosted a counsellors’ seminar that brought together education specialists, law enforcement officials, and mental health professionals to expand knowledge on the critical issues affecting young people.
The seminar, which attracted over 60 participants including school counsellors, social workers, and youth intervention specialists, focused on three key areas: abnormal psychology, juvenile delinquency, and masculinity in the Caribbean context.
Education Officer responsible for Guidance Counselling, Andrea Airall — who delivered the seminar’s opening presentation on abnormal psychology — highlighted the complex relationship between childhood trauma and youth development in Antigua and Barbuda.
During an extensive interview with Observer media, Airall highlighted how trauma manifests in various ways among young people, particularly in their ability to maintain relationships and cope with daily challenges.
“We’re seeing those who become involved in criminal activities, and we can track them because we already know them and the issues they’ve experienced throughout life,” Airall explained. “We see the issues in relationships, and when they return to the school system as parents, we observe how they deal with their children.”
The veteran educator emphasized that trauma’s impact extends beyond immediate behavioral issues, noting that affected individuals often struggle with employment stability and forming lasting relationships.
“They aren’t able to keep jobs, and we see constant changes in their relationship patterns, whether friendships or intimate relationships,” she said.
“We need to be trauma informed. We have to understand that trauma is not just about major incidents – it’s about the continuous experiences that affect our young people’s brain development and their ability to function in society,” Airall added.
The education officer, who also serves as an adjunct lecturer at UWIFIC, emphasized that the country’s approach to youth intervention must evolve beyond traditional methods.
“What we’re seeing is a gap between what we know and what we practice. Our services must be specifically tailored to individual needs because trauma affects each person differently,” she explained.
The discussion particularly emphasized how neglect and inadequate supervision contribute to youth vulnerability. “If you are not raising them, the streets will,” Airall warned, pointing to the critical need for proper guidance and support systems.
In the second session, Dr Cleon Athill delved into the scientific understanding of adolescent behavior, describing puberty as “one of the most profound biological and social transitions” young people experience.
She explained how brain development during teenage years created a critical mismatch between emotional responses and decision-making capabilities.
“The limbic system, which controls emotions and rewards, develops rapidly while the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, develops more slowly,” Dr Athill told participants, noting this explained many challenging behaviors parents and educators encountered.
The timing of the seminar coincides with increasing concerns about youth behaviour and mental health in Antigua and Barbuda, particularly following several recent incidents involving young people and law enforcement.
Recruitment Officer at UWIFIC, Adeola Matthew, announced that a follow-up seminar focusing on digital investigative techniques will be held on February 26, bringing together members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) , and other law enforcement personnel.
“We recognize there is a need in society for trained people who are able to address these concerns and understand the psychology of not only young people but all people,” Matthew stated.
The seminar’s comprehensive approach included sessions on abnormal psychology, delinquency, adolescence and juvenile justice, and men and masculinity in the Caribbean.
“This is part of our university’s mandate to advance dialogue on important societal issues,” Matthew stated, adding that UWI recently introduced new Bachelor’s degree programs in Psychology and Criminology to address the growing need for trained professionals in these fields.
The initiative represented a collaborative effort between UWIFIC, the Social Transformation Department, and the Youth Intervention Unit of the RPFAB to develop more effective strategies for supporting the nation’s youth.
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