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TCI Celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month & Dismantles Stigma

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#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 1st -31st 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 5th 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 12th.

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/

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Bahamas News

Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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