TCI News

TCI: Mental Health in Adolescents

Published

7 years ago

April 3, 2019

#Providenciales, April 3, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The WHO defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity…”. Mental health, specifically, is defined as not just the absence of a mental disorders but a state of well-being in which a person realizes their own abilities, is able to cope with life’s normal stresses, is able to work regularly and productively and is able to contribute to society. Good mental health is therefore the foundation for an individual’s and a community’s effective functioning and well-being. It is therefore critical to ensure the sound mental health of each individual beginning from childhood and throughout the lifespan. Hence as a society it is our duty and obligation to nurture and maintain the mental health of everyone, especially our children and adolescents. For the purpose of this article we will focus on adolescents.

Adolescence is defined as the developmental stage between ages 11 and 19/20 and is a time of great hormonal storms, decisions, pressures, identity formation, learning and personality formation. While many adolescents have good mental health, multiple physical, emotional and social changes, along with various risk factors (see beneath) can all make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. These factors can also determine the mental health of an individual into their adult life. This stage of life is also the time to develop healthy physical, emotional and social habits to secure one’s mental health and some of these positive habits will be discussed later.

Let’s review the statistics, according to the WHO:

Of the world population 1 in every 6 persons is aged 10 to 19.
16% of the burden of disease & injury in the 10 to 19 age group is due to mental illness
50% of all mental health conditions start at age 14 but are largely undiagnosed or undetected, largely due to lack of knowledge, awareness and stigmatization.
Globally depression is a leading cause of disability and illness among adolescents and the 9^th leading cause of overall illness in that age group, with anxiety being the 8^th leading cause.
At its worse, depression can result in suicide and suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of death worldwide among 15-19 year olds.
Failure to address mental conditions in adolescence unavoidably results in physical and mental challenges in adulthood and consequently limits the ability to lead fulfilling lives.
Childhood behavioral disorders are the 6^th leading cause of disease burden among adolescents. Such disorders affect academic performance and usually lead to delinquency.
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder normally emerge in adolescence and often co-exist with depression, anxiety and/or substance abuse.
Mental health issues account for self-harm in adolescents and in 2016, approximately 62,000 adolescents died globally from self-harm.
In 2016, interpersonal crime was the 2^nd leading cause of death among older adolescent males.

Risk factors:

Some of the risk factors which predispose adolescents to mental illness include but are not limited to:

Poverty and lack of opportunities, educational and otherwise.
Physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, with special emphasis on sexual abuse.
Parental neglect, abandonment, and incest.
Violence and trauma at home and in the community.
Harsh parenting and bullying.
The stresses & struggle of identity formation as one fights for autonomy.
Peer pressure to conform and experiment with different trends.
Exploration of their sexual identity and sexual orientation.
The extensive & inappropriate exposure to social media and technology.
The disparity between their actual life and their perceptions/aspirations of the future.
The quality of life at home and with their peers.
Adolescents who belong to minority groups, are stigmatized or due to discrimination or exclusion.
Chronic illness, developmental disorders, and disabilities.
Teenage pregnancy and/or abortions, teenage parents, and those in early life marriages.
Orphans.
Exposure to alcohol and drug use at an early age.
Genetic factors (hereditary traits of mental illness).
Poor coping mechanisms and lack of social support systems.

Types of mental illness among adolescents:

While the array of mental health conditions is wide and varied, just a few common ones will be highlighted for the purpose of bringing greater awareness.

Emotional disorders e.g. depression, anxiety, along with excessive irritability, frustration or anger and mood swings. These can also lead to clinical depression and bipolar disorder.
Emotionally related physical symptoms e.g. stomach aches, headaches, nausea, acne.
Behavioral disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder, ADHD, and disruptive behavioral disorder.
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder which are also linked to body dysmorphic disorder.
Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia in it’s different forms.
Dissociative disorders such as dissociative identity disorder (also called multiple personality disorder) and depersonalization disorder.
Suicide and self-harm.
High risk behaviors e.g. drug use, promiscuity & unprotected sex, indulging in violent behaviors.

These conditions are chronic, long term conditions which can be controlled with medication, psychotherapy, and sound, consistent social support systems in the form of family, friends, mental health professionals, church and community. Once clients comply with their medication regimes and counseling and there is good support then the possibility of patients living a relatively functional life is high. Therefore, it is prudent to adopt the proactive approach in choosing prevention rather than cure when addressing mental illness, and being aware of the various risk factors empowers us to do so.

How do we nurture mental health in adolescents?

Establishing healthy, regular sleep patterns as well as healthy daily routines for them.
Providing a healthy diet and regular exercise for them
Developing adaptive coping mechanisms; these should be taught/modeled by responsible caring adults. Teens look towards the adults in their life for guidance hence we must set the tone for behaviors if we wish to see them emulated.
Teaching them how to develop good decision making skills. The decision making center of the brain does not fully develop until age 25, therefore it is crucial that we support our teens in their decision making.
Developing healthy interpersonal relationships with everyone in their circle.
Nurturing a healthy self-concept, with good self-esteem and self-worth.
Teaching them to understand, appreciate, embrace and most importantly manage their emotions.
Providing a happy, healthy home for them free of violence, abuse, aggression and anger.
Remaining open and available for them to talk and share whatever they may need to.
Spending quality time with them while you engage in healthy joint activities.
Providing discipline in a way which they can understand and discuss and also setting boundaries for them to operate within.
Remaining aware and interested in their life events, friendships, academic performance, and choices.
Speaking positively into their lives and future and helping them plan for their future.
Praising them for their efforts and accomplishments despite how seemingly small it may be; teens need to be encouraged especially by those they hold in high regard.
Being a reliable, responsible, dependable model to them in every way.
Giving them opportunities to develop autonomy and think for themselves so that they can differentiate as healthy individuals and not feel or remain overly dependent on others.
Treating them with respect; speaking with them and not with negativity and condescension.
Ensuring regular medical checkups and observing your teen for changes and challenges they may be experiencing.
Placing realistic expectations on them and not making unreasonable demands. Each teen is unique with their own competencies and capabilities and therefore they should not be compared to others. Comparison brings unnecessary pressure, frustration, and discontent as teens often struggle to meet unrealistic and unfair expectations set by the adults in their lives.

Remember our adolescents are the next generation of tomorrows world, the leaders, the innovators, the decision makers and the parents of another generation. It is therefore in the best interest of all society to nurture, maintain and preserve the mental health of this precious generation with the hope that they will be given the best chance for a bright and productive future and that they will do the same for those to come after them.

Therefore, we hope that this information has brought some level of insight and will serve as a motivating force in nurturing mental health in our adolescents.

References:

Adolescent Mental Health: WHO.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail.

How to Promote Good Mental Health: promisesbehavioralhealth.com/mental-health

Release: TCIG

News

Durliat Delivers Bronze as TCI Swim Team Earns Hero’s Welcome

Published

1 week ago

April 14, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TCI SPORTS COMMISSION

Turks and Caicos, April 14, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands is celebrating a proud moment in aquatics, led by standout swimmer Luc Durliat, who secured the country’s lone medal at the 2026 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Martinique.

Durliat captured bronze in the Boys 11–12 200m Butterfly, clocking an impressive 2:39.33 after advancing through multiple rounds, showcasing both endurance and composure in the pool. His performance stood out in a highly competitive field and signaled growing strength in the territory’s aquatics programme.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Swimming Federation praised the young athlete’s achievement, stating:

“Congratulations to Luc Durliat on winning bronze in the Boys 11–12 200m Butterfly at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026, proudly representing the Turks and Caicos Islands National Team. Your hard work, determination, and strong performance in the pool have made Turks and Caicos proud.”

Durliat’s medal came amid a broader showing of progress by Team TCI, with several swimmers delivering personal best performances throughout the competition. Among them were Isaac Farley, Anaiah Alleyne, Kian Jules, Ezekiel Martin and Rishith Gururaja, all of whom posted significant improvements, underscoring the team’s upward trajectory.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Rachel Marshall Taylor also commended the team’s efforts, highlighting Durliat’s resilience and the wider gains in the sport.

“In the pool, Luc Durliat showcased resilience and competitive spirit, earning a bronze medal in the 200m Butterfly… His performance stands as a testament to the growth and promise of aquatics in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” she said.

The team returned home to a celebratory reception organized by the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission, beginning with an airport welcome at the Providenciales International Airport, followed by a motorcade and press conference.

The homecoming not only honored Durliat’s podium finish but also recognized a team that continues to build momentum on the regional stage—proving that while the medal count may be small, the impact is growing.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted at Caicos Lodge

Published

1 week ago

April 14, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 14 April 2026 —The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Block and Parcel 60802/49 and 60802/65, located in the Caicos Lodge area.

The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, the TCI Border Force, Pelican Energy TCI, and DevCon Power Supply. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.

The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. A total of fifty (50) unauthorized structures were removed during the exercise.

Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcels on December 11 2024, identifying unauthorized structures in illegal occupation. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on March 26 2026, which clearly advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided a 14-day period to remove the structures voluntarily. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.

The Government wishes to emphasize that the structures removed were unauthorized developments, constructed without the required planning approvals and in breach of established building and land use regulations.

Planning regulations exist to ensure that all developments meet minimum standards for safety and structural integrity. Unauthorized settlements, regardless of appearance, often lack these safeguards and can pose serious risks to occupants and the wider community.

The enforcement of these regulations is therefore not only a legal obligation, but a necessary measure to protect lives, property, and public health.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government remains fully aware of the housing challenges currently facing the country. However, unlawful development cannot be allowed to proliferate in a manner that compromises safety, undermines planning systems, and infringes on property rights.

All persons undertaking construction or occupation of land must do so in accordance with the law, including obtaining the necessary planning approvals.

The Government will continue to work collaboratively across agencies to:

Uphold planning and development regulations
Protect private and public lands
Prevent the expansion of unsafe and informal settlements
Advance long-term solutions for sustainable community development

This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.

News

What Planning Board Meeting Exposes about Housing Development in Providenciales

Published

1 week ago

April 14, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, April 14, 2026 – Planning data from the March 31, 2026 Physical Planning Board meeting points to a clear and consequential trend in Providenciales: a steady rise in approvals for multi-unit residential developments, reflecting growing demand for rental housing on the island.

Applications reviewed at the meeting include apartment buildings ranging from small two-unit structures to larger developments with up to 15 units, along with extensions to existing buildings to add additional floors and living space. The pattern is consistent across multiple submissions—developers are no longer focusing primarily on single-family homes, but instead are maximizing land use to accommodate more residents per parcel.

This shift signals more than just a change in construction style; it reflects mounting pressure within the housing market. Providenciales has been experiencing sustained population growth, driven by economic opportunity, migration and labour demand, all of which are placing strain on available housing stock. As a result, rental inventory has tightened, with many residents facing limited options and rising costs.

In that context, the Planning Board’s approvals suggest that the market is responding—perhaps not through a coordinated housing policy, but through private development adapting to demand. Multi-unit dwellings, apartment complexes and building expansions are emerging as practical solutions to increase housing availability in a setting where land is finite and demand continues to climb.

At the same time, the data reveals that not all proposed developments are moving forward without delay. Several applications, including larger-scale residential projects, were deferred, indicating that regulatory review remains active and that some proposals require further scrutiny or modification before approval. This points to a balancing act between facilitating growth and maintaining planning standards.

What emerges from the meeting is a picture of an island adjusting in real time. Housing development is becoming denser, more vertical and more responsive to immediate needs, as opposed to long-term master planning.

For residents, the implications are significant. Increased rental units could help ease the current shortage, but questions remain about affordability, infrastructure capacity and whether the pace of development can keep up with demand.

In the end, the Planning Board data offers a grounded look at how Providenciales is evolving—not through announcements, but through approvals that reveal where the pressure truly lies.

Beyond housing, the meeting also revealed a mix of supporting and stalled developments shaping the wider growth picture. Among the notable approvals were a warehouse and distribution centre, pointing to expanding commercial and logistics needs, and a boat ramp in Providenciales, signalling continued investment in marine access infrastructure.

At the same time, several applications were deferred, including proposals for solar farms and larger-scale residential developments, suggesting that while demand is strong, not all projects are advancing at the same pace. The combination of approvals and deferrals highlights a development environment that is active but still navigating regulatory checks, infrastructure readiness and planning requirements.

The 786th Ordinary Meeting of the Physical Planning Board was held on March 31, 2026, in Providenciales, with participation both in person and via video conference. Acting Chairman Trent Dickenson presided over the session, joined by members Dondre Brooks and Terrell Gardiner, along with ex-officio members Dainer Lightbourne from Planning and Jamall Blair from the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources. Supporting the Board were key technical staff, including Deputy Director of Planning Toriano Williams, Assistant Director and Secretary Reginald Charles, and Land Use Planner Britney Simmons, reflecting a full complement of planning and environmental oversight at the sitting.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.