TCI News

TCI: Mental Health in Adolescents

Published

7 years ago

April 3, 2019

#Providenciales, April 3, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The WHO defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity…”. Mental health, specifically, is defined as not just the absence of a mental disorders but a state of well-being in which a person realizes their own abilities, is able to cope with life’s normal stresses, is able to work regularly and productively and is able to contribute to society. Good mental health is therefore the foundation for an individual’s and a community’s effective functioning and well-being. It is therefore critical to ensure the sound mental health of each individual beginning from childhood and throughout the lifespan. Hence as a society it is our duty and obligation to nurture and maintain the mental health of everyone, especially our children and adolescents. For the purpose of this article we will focus on adolescents.

Adolescence is defined as the developmental stage between ages 11 and 19/20 and is a time of great hormonal storms, decisions, pressures, identity formation, learning and personality formation. While many adolescents have good mental health, multiple physical, emotional and social changes, along with various risk factors (see beneath) can all make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. These factors can also determine the mental health of an individual into their adult life. This stage of life is also the time to develop healthy physical, emotional and social habits to secure one’s mental health and some of these positive habits will be discussed later.

Let’s review the statistics, according to the WHO:

Of the world population 1 in every 6 persons is aged 10 to 19.
16% of the burden of disease & injury in the 10 to 19 age group is due to mental illness
50% of all mental health conditions start at age 14 but are largely undiagnosed or undetected, largely due to lack of knowledge, awareness and stigmatization.
Globally depression is a leading cause of disability and illness among adolescents and the 9^th leading cause of overall illness in that age group, with anxiety being the 8^th leading cause.
At its worse, depression can result in suicide and suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of death worldwide among 15-19 year olds.
Failure to address mental conditions in adolescence unavoidably results in physical and mental challenges in adulthood and consequently limits the ability to lead fulfilling lives.
Childhood behavioral disorders are the 6^th leading cause of disease burden among adolescents. Such disorders affect academic performance and usually lead to delinquency.
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder normally emerge in adolescence and often co-exist with depression, anxiety and/or substance abuse.
Mental health issues account for self-harm in adolescents and in 2016, approximately 62,000 adolescents died globally from self-harm.
In 2016, interpersonal crime was the 2^nd leading cause of death among older adolescent males.

Risk factors:

Some of the risk factors which predispose adolescents to mental illness include but are not limited to:

Poverty and lack of opportunities, educational and otherwise.
Physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, with special emphasis on sexual abuse.
Parental neglect, abandonment, and incest.
Violence and trauma at home and in the community.
Harsh parenting and bullying.
The stresses & struggle of identity formation as one fights for autonomy.
Peer pressure to conform and experiment with different trends.
Exploration of their sexual identity and sexual orientation.
The extensive & inappropriate exposure to social media and technology.
The disparity between their actual life and their perceptions/aspirations of the future.
The quality of life at home and with their peers.
Adolescents who belong to minority groups, are stigmatized or due to discrimination or exclusion.
Chronic illness, developmental disorders, and disabilities.
Teenage pregnancy and/or abortions, teenage parents, and those in early life marriages.
Orphans.
Exposure to alcohol and drug use at an early age.
Genetic factors (hereditary traits of mental illness).
Poor coping mechanisms and lack of social support systems.

Types of mental illness among adolescents:

While the array of mental health conditions is wide and varied, just a few common ones will be highlighted for the purpose of bringing greater awareness.

Emotional disorders e.g. depression, anxiety, along with excessive irritability, frustration or anger and mood swings. These can also lead to clinical depression and bipolar disorder.
Emotionally related physical symptoms e.g. stomach aches, headaches, nausea, acne.
Behavioral disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder, ADHD, and disruptive behavioral disorder.
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder which are also linked to body dysmorphic disorder.
Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia in it’s different forms.
Dissociative disorders such as dissociative identity disorder (also called multiple personality disorder) and depersonalization disorder.
Suicide and self-harm.
High risk behaviors e.g. drug use, promiscuity & unprotected sex, indulging in violent behaviors.

These conditions are chronic, long term conditions which can be controlled with medication, psychotherapy, and sound, consistent social support systems in the form of family, friends, mental health professionals, church and community. Once clients comply with their medication regimes and counseling and there is good support then the possibility of patients living a relatively functional life is high. Therefore, it is prudent to adopt the proactive approach in choosing prevention rather than cure when addressing mental illness, and being aware of the various risk factors empowers us to do so.

How do we nurture mental health in adolescents?

Establishing healthy, regular sleep patterns as well as healthy daily routines for them.
Providing a healthy diet and regular exercise for them
Developing adaptive coping mechanisms; these should be taught/modeled by responsible caring adults. Teens look towards the adults in their life for guidance hence we must set the tone for behaviors if we wish to see them emulated.
Teaching them how to develop good decision making skills. The decision making center of the brain does not fully develop until age 25, therefore it is crucial that we support our teens in their decision making.
Developing healthy interpersonal relationships with everyone in their circle.
Nurturing a healthy self-concept, with good self-esteem and self-worth.
Teaching them to understand, appreciate, embrace and most importantly manage their emotions.
Providing a happy, healthy home for them free of violence, abuse, aggression and anger.
Remaining open and available for them to talk and share whatever they may need to.
Spending quality time with them while you engage in healthy joint activities.
Providing discipline in a way which they can understand and discuss and also setting boundaries for them to operate within.
Remaining aware and interested in their life events, friendships, academic performance, and choices.
Speaking positively into their lives and future and helping them plan for their future.
Praising them for their efforts and accomplishments despite how seemingly small it may be; teens need to be encouraged especially by those they hold in high regard.
Being a reliable, responsible, dependable model to them in every way.
Giving them opportunities to develop autonomy and think for themselves so that they can differentiate as healthy individuals and not feel or remain overly dependent on others.
Treating them with respect; speaking with them and not with negativity and condescension.
Ensuring regular medical checkups and observing your teen for changes and challenges they may be experiencing.
Placing realistic expectations on them and not making unreasonable demands. Each teen is unique with their own competencies and capabilities and therefore they should not be compared to others. Comparison brings unnecessary pressure, frustration, and discontent as teens often struggle to meet unrealistic and unfair expectations set by the adults in their lives.

Remember our adolescents are the next generation of tomorrows world, the leaders, the innovators, the decision makers and the parents of another generation. It is therefore in the best interest of all society to nurture, maintain and preserve the mental health of this precious generation with the hope that they will be given the best chance for a bright and productive future and that they will do the same for those to come after them.

Therefore, we hope that this information has brought some level of insight and will serve as a motivating force in nurturing mental health in our adolescents.

References:

Adolescent Mental Health: WHO.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail.

How to Promote Good Mental Health: promisesbehavioralhealth.com/mental-health

Release: TCIG

News

Firearms, Migration Enforcement and 61% Crime Drop Highlight Bailey’s Year in Review

Published

4 days ago

June 1, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

By Deandrea Hamilton

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The dramatic decline in murders may have captured public attention, but newly released Year in Review graphics from Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey reveal a much broader policing strategy that the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force says is producing measurable results across the territory.

Among the standout achievements highlighted in the Commissioner’s 2025-2026 review is the recovery of 22 illegal firearms and more than 500 rounds of ammunition during 2025. The graphics also show that four additional illegal firearms were seized during the first quarter of 2026.

The Police Force credits proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and community partnerships with helping remove weapons from the streets and reducing opportunities for violence.

The review also points to what may be the most significant statistic in the package: a 61 percent reduction in overall crime. While the graphics do not provide a detailed breakdown of offences contributing to that decline, the figure suggests improvements extended well beyond homicide investigations and into broader categories of criminal activity.

Other accomplishments cited include strengthened border security operations, the detention of more than 1,100 irregular migrants, the dismantling of illegal settlements, the launch of a Human Trafficking Unit and expanded highway patrol initiatives.

The Force also highlighted increased engagement with communities through schools, churches and outreach programmes, investments in officer training and professional development, and modernization of information technology and communications systems.

For the tourism-dependent Turks and Caicos Islands, the review sought to reassure visitors that the destination remains safe. Police recorded 43 incidents involving tourists during the review period, including 18 offences against the person, 23 property-related offences and two offences against the state.

Using annual visitor estimates of approximately two million arrivals, the Force argues that tourists remain overwhelmingly safe while vacationing in the territory.

The review also confirms the much-publicized reduction in murders. According to the data, murders fell from 48 in 2024 to 27 in 2025, representing a 43.75 percent decline. The graphics further indicate that no murders were recorded during the first quarter of 2026.

While the figures paint a picture of improving public safety, they also raise questions that many residents will likely want answered as the conversation turns from crime reduction to criminal accountability.

Notably absent from the review are statistics related to arrests, charge rates, case clearances, prosecutions and convictions. The graphics demonstrate that crime is declining and that firearms are being removed from communities, but they do not indicate how many suspects were arrested in connection with major crimes, how many cases resulted in charges, or how many offenders were ultimately convicted before the courts.

Those metrics have long been viewed as important measures of police effectiveness, particularly in serious crimes such as murder, shootings, robberies and firearms offences. While the latest review focuses heavily on outcomes and operational achievements, future reporting on arrest and conviction rates may provide a more complete picture of how successfully the criminal justice system is converting police investigations into courtroom victories.

Still, Commissioner Bailey’s review makes a clear argument: that a combination of proactive policing, strategic enforcement, border security initiatives and community engagement has contributed to a safer Turks and Caicos Islands.

News

Third Woman in Succession to Lead TCI Judiciary; New Chief Justice Brings 37 Years of Experience

Published

5 days ago

June 1, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, June 1, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands has entered a new chapter in its judicial history with the appointment of Hon. Madam Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards as Chief Justice, marking the third consecutive female leader of the nation’s judiciary and continuing more than a decade of women serving in the territory’s highest judicial office.

Justice Cummings-Edwards formally assumed office on May 1, 2026, succeeding former Chief Justice Hon. Justice Mabel Agyemang, whose six-year tenure was credited with significant reforms aimed at strengthening the courts and improving access to justice.

A native of Guyana, Justice Cummings-Edwards brings more than 37 years of legal and judicial experience to the role. Before arriving in the Turks and Caicos Islands, she served in some of the highest judicial offices in Guyana, including Acting Chief Justice and Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary. She also earned recognition for advancing court modernization, digitization, improved case management systems and expanded access to justice.

The appointment, announced by Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam following the advice of the Judicial Services Commission, brings to the Turks and Caicos Islands a jurist widely respected throughout the Caribbean legal community.

In announcing the appointment, the Governor said it followed a rigorous and highly competitive selection process and noted that Justice Cummings-Edwards’ appointment “reaffirms the enduring importance of an independent judiciary in upholding the rule of law, protecting constitutional governance and maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice.”

Accepting the appointment, Justice Cummings-Edwards said: “I am honoured to be appointed Chief Justice of the Turks and Caicos Islands and grateful for the confidence placed in me. I look forward to working collaboratively with my judicial colleagues, the legal profession and justice-sector partners to build on the strong foundation established and to further strengthen the delivery of justice in a manner that is fair, efficient and accessible to all.”

She added: “I remain committed to upholding the rule of law and serving the people of these Islands with integrity and dedication.”

Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles welcomed the new Chief Justice at her swearing-in ceremony, describing her as a judicial leader with “extensive judicial experience, a strong commitment to the rule of law, and to strengthening the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Judiciary.”

Justice Cummings-Edwards’ appointment continues a notable trend in the Turks and Caicos Islands, where women have occupied the office of Chief Justice for more than a decade, reinforcing the territory’s reputation for strong female leadership at the highest levels of the judiciary.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

News

Prayer, Preparation and Partnership as TCI Enters Hurricane Season

Published

5 days ago

June 1, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, June 1, 2026 – As the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today, Turks and Caicos Islanders are being encouraged to prepare both practically and spiritually, with national disaster officials launching a series of island-wide prayer services while government agencies finalize readiness plans for the months ahead.

The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) kicked off its annual hurricane season prayer initiative on Sunday, May 31, with a service at Providence Baptist Church in North Caicos. The initiative reflects the country’s longstanding tradition of seeking divine protection at the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The prayer circuit will continue on June 7 at Abundant Life Ministries International in Providenciales, June 14 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in South Caicos, June 21 at the Church of God of Prophecy in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, and conclude on June 28 at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Grand Turk.

While churches unite in prayer, government agencies are strengthening operational readiness.

On May 28, Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the first State of Preparedness Meeting for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, bringing together key government officials, emergency responders, utility providers and critical infrastructure partners ahead of the June 1 start of the season.

According to the Governor’s Office, representatives from the DDME, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, healthcare and emergency services, along with utility and infrastructure leaders, reviewed national readiness plans, shelter preparedness, continuity of essential services, inter-agency coordination and response strategies.

The Governor emphasized the importance of proactive preparation, coordination and public awareness to ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands remains resilient throughout the hurricane season.

The discussions come as forecasters at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, predict a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2026. NOAA says there is a 55 percent chance of a below-normal season, a 35 percent chance of a near-normal season and a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season. Forecasters are predicting between eight and 14 named storms, including three to six hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes.

Despite the relatively favorable outlook, NOAA officials continue to caution against complacency.

“Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” said National Weather Service Director Ken Graham. “That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”

For Turks and Caicos, that message resonates strongly. The islands remain among the Caribbean territories most vulnerable to hurricanes, and memories of major storms such as Hurricanes Ike, Irma and Maria continue to underscore the importance of preparedness.

As hurricane season opens, officials are urging residents to secure emergency supplies, review family preparedness plans, stay informed through official channels and participate in community readiness efforts. And for many across the islands, that preparation begins with prayer.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.