PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Behavioural Health Services successfully hosted the second session of the Bridge-Series, titled Brief Intervention Guiding Change. This impactful session, aimed at bridging the gap between mental health practices and the community, was presented by Mrs. Yvette Elliott, a seasoned mental health professional with extensive experience in psychological counseling and substance use intervention.
Mrs. Elliott holds degrees in Psychology and Marriage & Family Counseling and has worked in the field for nearly two decades. She has trained professionals across the region and is committed to helping individuals navigate life transitions, mood disorders, grief and loss, and substance use challenges.
During the session, which was attended both virtually and in person, by professionals from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force – Safeguarding Unit, Gender Affairs, and medical professionals, Mrs. Elliott provided an engaging and accessible explanation of the Stages of Change model. She likened the six stages to a baby learning how to take its first steps or to someone learning how to rollerblade. Just as these processes require patience, practice, and support, so too does the journey of change for individuals facing behavioural health challenges.
A key focus of the session was Motivational Interviewing, a counseling approach designed to help individuals resolve ambivalence and find internal motivation for change. Mrs. Elliott emphasised the importance of meeting clients where they are in their journey and using open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflective listening to guide them forward. She also highlighted the difficulty that many people experience when attempting to change and stressed that rolling with resistance is a crucial technique. Instead of confronting opposition, professionals should explore a client’s hesitations and reinforce their ability to make positive changes. Supporting self-efficacy and encouraging clients to believe in their own capability to change; is essential in helping them navigate the often challenging process of transformation.
Director of the Department, Dr. Alicia Malcolm, commented: “the Bridge-Series is more than just a training opportunity—it represents the Department of Behavioural Health Services’ commitment to bridging mental health knowledge and practices to the community. By fostering collaboration with other agencies and empowering professionals, we are hopeful that these trainings will spark meaningful change at the community level. The series provides an essential platform for knowledge-sharing and capacity-building that supports the growth of mental health and substance use intervention efforts in the Turks and Caicos Islands”.
The Honorable Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services commented: “the Ministry of Health remains dedicated to expanding opportunities for continued professional development, with the goal of enhancing community mental health care and encouraging greater collaboration among stakeholders”.
For more information on upcoming sessions in the Bridge-Series, please contact the Department of Behavioural Health Services at 338 3613 for Zone 1 (Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay) and 338 3616 for Zone 2 (Providenciales, North & Middle Caicos). Also, be sure to visit our website www.gov.tc/dmhsd and follow our social media accounts www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS and @TCIDBHS on Instagram.
