TCI Celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month & Dismantles Stigma

#TurksandCaicos, May 5, 2023 – The Department of Mental Health & Substance Dependence within the Ministry of Health and Human Services proclaims that the second annual celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) in the Turks & Caicos Islands is underway! MHAM is an extension of World Mental Health Day which aims to improve community awareness and interest in mental health and wellbeing throughout the Islands. In 2023, the celebration will run from 1^st -31^st May under the theme ‘Dismantling stigma: One Mind at a time’.

The theme seeks to capture the complexity of the effects of external and internalized stigmatization. By focusing on dismantling or deconstructing the foundations of stigma, the Department hopes to eradicate misconceptions surrounding mental health issues; increase resident’s knowledge on the prospects of having a mental health concern and increase awareness on the availability of support services and their efficacy. The Department also wishes to increase the public’s general understanding of how our behaviors and language can aide those persons who may be facing particularly low times to attain the support that is needed.

Reason for observance

Comprehensive research classifies mental health and substance use (MHSU) disorders as a leading source of disability, affecting one in eight persons. Globally, the appraised life expectancy of persons with MHSU disorders is 10-25 years less than those who are unaffected. The most vulnerable population, that is, those aged 15-29 years, account for 14% of people with lived experience (PWLE). However, despite the need for mental health services, the demand and compliance rates of users continues to be disproportionate. Casual reasoning continues to be a focus in this regard. Noteworthy studies across the Caribbean and Atlantic region found that widespread stigmatization, negative stereotypes, embarrassment, and abuse, due to lack of knowledge were major deterrents to help seeking behaviors across ages.  In spite of attained education, fear and inferior supportive practices towards PWLE were noticed across the region.

The Campaign

The Dismantling Stigma campaign takes an innovative approach to changing attitudes and beliefs about mental health and associated complications, through life size portraits, accompanied by accounts of PWLE. Though research is limited within the Caribbean and Atlantic region, a systematic review completed by Department of Mental Health & Substance Dependence staff in collaboration with PAHO participants, found that the use of ‘social contact by partnering with local stigma fighters to share their MHSU challenges and difficulties- helps to debunk stereo-types, validate the experience of PWLE and encourages open and honest discussion about MHSU disorders.’

Features of change

Whilst statistics highlight the complexity of the issue, the volunteers of this project bring faces and truth to an experience which many feel invalidated by. Since the campaign’s launch in February of this year at the Providenciales International Airport, and across social media, our stigma fighters and staff have received countless messages of encouragement and appreciation for this initiative. An increase in seeking support services has also been witnessed.

Upcoming events

 The activities for the month will include:

• Release of Mental Health radio PSA: April 25 (currently airing)
• MHAM panel discussion and luncheon: May 5^th at the Shore Club Resort 12pm – 2pm
• Release of Dismantling Stigma video PSA: May 5th
• Wear green: Be an advocate against Mental Health stigma: May 12^th.

Please join us in celebrating this auspicious occasion and the stigma fighters who dare to break barriers!

For more information about mental health or to access mental health services, contact the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department at: 338-3613 in Grand Turk, or 338-3616 in Providenciales or visit www.facebook.com/TCIDMHSD or https://www.gov.tc/dmhsd/