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Mental Health, Anti-Stigma Campaign features Locals Telling their Stories

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 9, 2023 – A new campaign is exposing deeply personal stories on the issue of mental health and strengthens efforts to prove there is no shame in struggling with mental stability.  Launched on February 27th, the “Dismantling Stigma” campaign from the Mental Health and Substance Dependence is geared at removing the shame surrounding mental health and getting residents to open up and seek care when they need it.

The campaign uses stories from well-known local islanders including; attorney, writer and filmmaker,  Dominic Rolle; singer and TCHTA Entertainer of the year 2017 Crystal ‘Tess’ Charles and professional development trainer Latoya Jones who opened up about their own mental health challenges ranging from anxiety to depression and more.  All are featured on billboards across the Providenciales International Airport.

Sponsored by the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association the push comes fresh off of the country opening its first mental health facility in Grand Turk.

The ministry says mental health stigma is one of the biggest barriers to mental health care and in shifting people’s perspectives about this they hope to have more people seeking help when they are struggling.

The campaign uses stories from well-known local islanders including; attorney, writer and filmmaker,  Dom Rolle; singer and TCHTA Entertainer of the Year, Crystal ‘Tess’ Charles and professional development trainer, Latoya Jones who opened up about their own mental health challenges ranging from anxiety to depression and more.

All are featured on billboards, unveiled at the Providenciales International Airport.  The massive displays share these stories, localizes the issue and bolsters the attempt to get islanders more comfortable with embracing that mental health challenges is nothing about which one must be ashamed or carry in isolation.

Increasingly, residents have expressed concern about the responses to individuals suffering mental health illness.  In 2022, Garrick Tucker died despite a desperate online appeal by a Mother who wanted help with her troubled son.  Hours later, he crashed in an allegedly stolen vehicle; that help coming too late in a case that even the Health Minister lamented was an avoidable tragedy.

Residents can see the posters sharing these local stories at the Airport, the Health Ministry says the campaign is expected to run throughout the year and ‘there are high expectations that its goal of dismantling mental health stigma will surely be achieved.’

Education

Celebrating the Power of Reading Aloud 

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, February 5, 2025 – World Read Aloud Day celebrates the joy and importance of reading aloud, encouraging children and adults to pick up a book, find an audience, and share a story.

Today, in commemoration of World Read Aloud Day, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) joined in the celebration by visiting schools to engage with students through reading.

Commissioner Fitz Bailey visited the Special Needs Association Providenciales (SNAP) Center, where he read to students aged 5-11 and later spoke with students in the 12-20 age group. He reminded them that they are not just special but unique in God’s image and likeness, emphasizing that they are all children of God.

The Commissioner also engaged the students in song, earning applause. He expressed gratitude to Principal Ms. Regena Little and her dedicated staff for their patience, commitment, and genuine care for the students. Commissioner Bailey assured everyone that this would not be his last visit to the center.

Meanwhile, Inspector Delton Robinson and Constable Janefer Stubbs engaged students with lively readings at Ianthe Pratt Primary School, while Constables Rhoan McKoy and Roan Waugh from the Tactical Unit captivated students with animated storytelling sessions at Oseta Jolly Primary School.

The RTCIPF remains committed to collaborating with our communities and fostering education, engagement, and positive connections.

 

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Education

Therapy Abroad Team from Illinois State University Supports Speech and Communication Development Across TCI Schools

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PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION YOUTH SPORTS AND CULTURE

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 13th January 2025 The Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, recently welcomed a team of 10 dedicated volunteers from Illinois State University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders through the Therapy Abroad program. Throughout their visit, the team made a significant impact, conducting 45 speech assessments and providing invaluable support to private and public schools and students.

The visiting team worked with the SNAP Center, Preparing Little Minds, Tumble Tots, Thelma Lightbourne Primary, and Ianthe Pratt Primary schools this past week. Their efforts included one-on-one speech assessments, group speech therapy sessions with students, and collaborative meetings with teachers to provide insights and strategies to assist children with speech delays and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Director of the SENS Department, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, expressed her gratitude for the collaborative effort: “We are immensely grateful to the Therapy Abroad team and the volunteers from Illinois State University for their unwavering commitment to supporting our students. Their assessments and therapy sessions have brought us closer to understanding and addressing our children’s unique speech and communication needs. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Coordinator of Assessments, Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, whose tireless efforts ensured the success of this initiative.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. James Astwood, also praised the initiative: “This ongoing partnership between Therapy Abroad and the SENS Department highlights the importance of global collaboration in addressing the diverse needs of our students. The expertise shared and the assessments conducted will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our schools and the children they serve. We look forward to continuing such partnerships to further enhance the services we provide.”

The SENS Department remains committed to fostering innovative partnerships and delivering specialized support to ensure that every child receives the resources they need to thrive.

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Bahamas News

BTVI APPOINTS FIRST DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE  

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Patrice Gardiner Director of People, BTVI

The Bahamas, January 18, 2025 – The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrice Gardiner as its first Director of People. The strategic addition marks a significant cultural transition at BTVI as the institution seeks to rebrand and reposition itself on the regional stage. It is expected that this new role will bring a fresh, vibrant and people-centred approach to the employee experience at BTVI.

Ms. Gardiner has a storied career with a proven track record in Human Resources, Performance Management and Training, Project Management and Customer Service.

BTVI’s President, Dr. Linda A. Davis expressed excitement over the new appointment, stating that Ms. Gardiner’s valuable expertise in the field will usher in a cultural shift that will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the team, while elevating the institution’ brand.

“This appointment signifies BTVI’s commitment to staff and faculty and by extension our strategic growth initiatives. Expected to be the springboard of a culture shift across the institution, this occurs at a pivotal point in our history,” said Dr. Davis.

“BTVI is working assiduously towards accreditation by the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas (NAECOB) and the Council on Occupational Education (COE), based in Atlanta, Georgia. With institutional-wide inclusion and collaboration necessary for attaining these stamps of approval regarding our educational quality, we believe that a reenergised Human Resources team will be central to our efforts in helping to energise all BTVI employees towards continuous improvement. We look forward to benefitting from Ms. Gardiner’s insight and strategies in this regard,” added Dr. Davis.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms. Gardiner expressed how thrilled she is to join the BTVI team and assisting with cultivating a culture that promotes productivity, creativity and innovation, while maintaining employee relations.

“I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure that everyone understands their roles and how their work and presence contribute to our strategic plan goals.  I am aiming to ensure that BTVI has satisfied employees and robust talent management,” said Ms. Gardiner.

She added that ownership and accountability are vital parts of achieving goals; therefore, as Director of People fostering an environment of accountability, teamwork, transparency and reliability is crucial.

One of BTVI’s three institutional pillars is Strengthening our Institute. Ms. Gardiner’s appointment aligns with that thrust of building capacity to serve and excel in a high-performing work environment.

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