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

DDME Hurricane Preparedness Expo, Huge success in The Nation’s Capital

Published

6 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 26 June 2026: The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) successfully hosted its Hurricane Preparedness Expo this past Friday, 19 June 2026, at the Dillon Hall in Grand Turk. Residents and visitors attending the event, took full advantage of the opportunity to learn more about hurricane preparedness while participating in exciting activities and receiving complimentary tokens.

The expo brought together several key partners and stakeholders, including the TCI Red Cross, Do it Center (Building Materials), Pelican Energy TCI, Interhealth Canada, TCI Regiment, Health Promotion and Advocacy Unit, Aged Care and Rehabilitation TCI, the Environmental Health Department, Survey and Mapping Department and the Public Works Department. These stakeholders and vendors contributed to the event’s success by sharing valuable information and products aimed at helping individuals and families prepare for the hurricane season.

Both the Director and Deputy Director for DDME addressed attendees and emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant throughout the Atlantic Hurricane Season. DDME Director, Lt. Col (Ret’d) Jason Hills stated, “Preparedness is not a one-time activity but an ongoing responsibility. We encourage everyone to take the necessary steps by staying informed and ensuring their emergency plans and supplies are up to date,” DDME Deputy Director Ms. Kevaun Lucas added that, “It only takes one storm to change lives and communities forever. That is why preparedness cannot wait until a hurricane is on our doorstep, take the time now so you will not be caught off guard later.”

DDME would like to take this opportunity to express gratitude to all vendors and persons from the Grand Turk community that attended this event. We also express our sincere thanks to The Hon. Otis Morris and Hon. Sharon Simons for their presence and participation.

The Hurricane Preparedness Expo forms part of the DDME’s ongoing public awareness and community outreach initiatives during the Atlantic Hurricane Season. These events aim to strengthen preparedness and resilience across the country. The public is warmly encouraged to attend DDME initiatives and take an active role in hurricane preparedness.

UPCOMING CHURCH SERVICE

Sunday, 28 June 2026 • St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Grand Turk | 9:00 AM (New time)

OTHER UPCOMING EVENT

Saturday, 4 July 2026 • Community Hurricane Scavenger Hunt, Meeting point: Oseta Jolly Primary School, Providenciales | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

News

Turks and Caicos Islands Expands US Reach with New United Airlines Denver Route

Published

12 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (June 26th, 2026) — The Turks and Caicos Islands is celebrating another major airlift milestone with the announcement that United Airlines will launch new nonstop service between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Howard Hamilton International Airport in Providenciales (PLS) beginning December 2026.*

The new weekly service marks a significant expansion of United Airlines’ established presence in the Turks and Caicos Islands and is the result of extensive negotiations with the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA).

This announcement comes on the heels of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ successful roadshow in Denver, where the delegation, led by the Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, was warmly welcomed by Governor Jared Polis, who proclaimed May 20th, 2026, as Turks and Caicos Islands Friendship Day in Colorado in recognition of the growing ties between the destination and the state.

Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, said this new route will open up new opportunities for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“This new direct service between Denver and Providenciales is tremendously exciting for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Denver is one of America’s great aviation gateways, opening convenient access to Colorado, California, and the entire western United States. Having already established strong links to the eastern and midwestern markets, we are delighted to now extend our reach to the west. We are confident this route will unlock significant opportunities for tourism, business, and investment and further strengthen our ties with the United States,” he said.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, welcomed the announcement as a strong endorsement of the destination’s growing appeal and the Ministry’s continued efforts to diversify source markets and expand airlift.

“This new service between Denver and Providenciales represents another important step in expanding the global reach of the Turks and Caicos Islands. For many years, our strongest air connections have been concentrated along the East Coast and in the Midwest of the United States. Today, we continue our strategic expansion westward, creating direct access to one of North America’s most dynamic and affluent regions. This route strengthens our ability to attract visitors whose interests align naturally with the Turks and Caicos Islands’ tourism product—from luxury travel and wellness experiences to diving, outdoor adventure, and second-home ownership,” he said.

Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Arlington Musgrove, described the announcement as another important step in strengthening the destination’s connectivity and competitiveness.

“This new service is the result of continued collaboration between the Government, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, Experience Turks and Caicos and our airline partners. Expanding air access is critical to sustaining tourism growth, and we are pleased that United Airlines continues to recognise the immense opportunity that exists here in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” the Minister said. “As part of our broader strategic vision, we have been deliberately cultivating and developing routes from the western portion of North America — a market of enormous potential — with the goal of securing greater overall air capacity into our destination.”

“We’re excited to give our customers yet another non-stop option between the Caribbean and Denver,” said Tom Kozlowski, Senior Manager of Latin, Caribbean, & Hawaii Network Planning, United Airlines. “United is the largest carrier in Denver, and this new addition will be the westernmost service from Turks and Caicos to the US, opening new tourism opportunities. We know our customers in Denver and surrounds will enjoy easier access to beautiful beaches, unique island charm, and vibrant culture in one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations.”

The addition of the Denver route further strengthens the Turks and Caicos Islands’ airlift portfolio and builds on recent successes in expanding access from key and emerging markets. Experience Turks and Caicos and the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority will continue working closely with airline partners to identify opportunities for strategic growth and enhanced connectivity.

The new route will be operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft featuring 179 seats, including 20 in business class and 159 in economy.

The tentative flight schedule is below:

Route	Start Date/Frequency	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Aircraft
DEN – PLS	Dec. 19, Weekly on Saturdays	10:00	17:00	Boeing 737 MAX 9
PLS – DEN	Dec. 19, Weekly on Saturdays	13:35	17:21	Boeing 737 MAX 9

Schedule subject to change.

Customers can book flights at united.com and on the United app.

*Subject to Government approval

Crime

Human Trafficking Probe Revealed as Police Warn of Growing Teen Crime Concern

Published

3 days ago

June 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

Turks and Caicos, June 23, 2026 – A police briefing intended to update the public on crime trends in the Turks and Caicos Islands instead exposed what may be one of the most significant criminal investigations currently underway in the country.

When questioned about the June 14 shooting on Bible Street, Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey revealed that the incident stemmed from an anti-human trafficking operation during which 12 women believed to be victims of human trafficking were rescued by law enforcement.

“The officers were engaged in an anti-human trafficking operation… 12 females were rescued or victims of human trafficking were rescued, and they are in our care and that investigation is advanced,” Bailey told reporters.

The revelation stunned many who had linked the Bible Street shooting to other recent violent incidents, including the June 12 murder in Five Cays. However, the Commissioner indicated the confrontation was connected to the anti-human trafficking investigation, though he declined to provide further details due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing case.

More than a week later, authorities continue to maintain that the investigation remains active. Magnetic Media has confirmed with police officials that no arrests have yet been made in connection with the alleged human trafficking operation.

The Commissioner also sounded the alarm over what appears to be an emerging trend involving teenage boys and serious criminal activity. In discussing recent incidents, Bailey suggested that some young offenders are operating within organized criminal networks and warned that law enforcement alone cannot solve the growing problem.

“My experience tells me that once they reach a threshold it is very difficult to bring them back,” Bailey said. “The social agencies will have to get involved. We have to find a way to reach these unattached youth and to engage them and to create that positive reinforcement in their life.”

Despite those concerns, Bailey reported that overall crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands continues to trend sharply downward.

According to police statistics presented at the briefing, murders have fallen from 13 at this point last year to just one in 2026, representing a 92 percent reduction. Attempted murders have fallen by 100 percent, kidnappings by 75 percent, robberies by 34 percent, aggravated burglaries by 22 percent, firearm possession offences by 50 percent and incidents involving the discharge of firearms by 85 percent. Police reported that nearly every major category of serious crime has declined compared to the same period last year.

The lone murder recorded in the Turks and Caicos Islands for 2026 occurred on June 12 in Five Cays. While no arrest has been made in that case, the Commissioner indicated that investigators believe they know who is responsible.

“I am convinced and I am positive that the perpetrator is a teenager,” Bailey stated.

The press conference was held at Police Headquarters in Providenciales.