PRESS RELEASE

 FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 2^nd May 2025 – As Mental Health Awareness Month approaches, the Department of Behavioural Health Services invites all Turks and Caicos Islanders to engage in meaningful activities throughout May to foster a healthier, more connected community. This year, we proudly embrace the theme “Community”, highlighting the importance of our collective strength, how we support one another and show up when someone is struggling.

Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health & Human Services, recently spoke about the importance of community, and how we, as a nation, must address mental health as part of our everyday lives. As the Minister shared, “Mental health is not just about a diagnosis or a clinic visit, it is about everyday life. Whether it is the parent trying to stay strong for their family, the employee feeling overwhelmed at work, or the student dealing with self-doubt, mental health is something that affects us all.”

Throughout this month, we want to emphasize that mental health is not just about what happens in clinics; it is about us, about building a community where people know they aren’t alone, and where help is accessible when needed.

How Can You Get Involved?

The Department has planned several exciting and impactful events to help create more awareness, offer support, and foster real connections. We are excited to invite you to actively participate in the following:

1. Psychological First Aid Training (May 1^st– 31^st)
   In partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), we are offering an online Psychological First Aid course throughout May. This course will equip you with the tools needed to support others in distress, whether at home, in the workplace, or in your community. We encourage everyone to take part in this training. By doing so, we can ensure that help is always within reach for those who need it.

2. Wear Green Fridays (Every Friday in May)
   Every Friday throughout May, we ask you to wear green as part of our campaign to raise awareness and show solidarity for mental health. Wearing green is a simple but powerful way to send a message of support, understanding, and hope. We invite you to share your photos on social media using the hashtag #ShiftingMindsTCI and join us in making mental health part of our daily conversation.

3. Morning Pause and Panel Discussions
   We are hosting morning pause and panel discussions events across the islands, where we will tackle important mental health topics and give the community a chance to engage directly with experts in the field. These sessions are a safe space for everyone to learn, share, and reflect on mental health in a real and supportive environment.

Panel discussion topics include:

• May 7^th(Providenciales): Mental Health and Working in Paradise at Fortis TCI
• May 14^th(North Caicos): Mental Health Across the Ages at the Kew Community Center
• May 20^th(South Caicos): Understanding Anxiety and Treatment at the South Caicos Community Center
• May 21^st(Grand Turk): Understanding Anxiety and Treatment at the Grand Turk Community Center

4. School Engagement and Outreach
   We will also be engaging with local schools to spread the message of mental health and provide resources for both students and staff. Through these engagements, we hope to create a foundation for early education around mental well-being, helping to normalize conversations from a young age.

Shifting Minds TCI: Reframing Mental Health

This month also highlights our upcoming campaign Shifting Minds TCI: Reframing Mental Health. We are committed to reframing the way we view and talk about mental health in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The campaign is a call to action to stop the silence and start real conversations about mental health, breaking down stigma, and building a culture of support. Our mission is simple: to make mental health a regular part of our conversations, so no one ever feels alone.

A Message from Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health & Human Services

 Minister Knowles since his appointment has emphasized the importance of community, especially when it comes to mental health. He continues to advocate for stronger resources and support systems in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He said, “We are placing real value on mental well-being, supporting programs, training, and outreach that bring people together and build that sense of community care that has always been part of who we are.”

 This is a time for us to come together as a community, to shift how we think and talk about mental health, and to take action that will make a lasting impact.

Your Role in the Change

Minister Knowles also reminds us that we all have a role to play in shifting mental health conversations: “Reach out to someone. Not because it’s Mental Health Month, but because we all need each other more than we sometimes say. Whether through a simple message, a listening ear, or offering a helping hand, each small gesture counts.

Let’s make May more than just a month of awareness. Let’s make it the start of lasting change, a commitment to a healthier, more connected community, where mental well-being is a priority, not just during the tough times, but every day.”

 For more information, please contact the Department of Behavioural Health Services. Zone 1 (Grand Turk/South Caicos, Salt Cay) 649338 3613 Zone 2 (Providenciales, North & middles Caicos) 649 338 3616. 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.