Caribbean Youth Mental Health Call to Action

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH?

Half of all mental health disorders can be diagnosed by just age 14.

16 million adolescents aged 10-19 live with a mental disorder in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Anxiety Disorder is the second leading cause of disability among 10-14-year-olds.

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Government Mental Health, Psychosocial Support and Child Protection Service Directories

In 2024, UNICEF for the Eastern Caribbean Area in collaboration with the Healthy Caribbean Coalition/Healthy Caribbean Youth, Let’s Unpack and USAID launched Government mental health, psychosocial support and child protection service directories for 12 countries across the region.

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Series of Brochures for Persons Living with NCDs in Natural Disaster Prone Areas

This series of eight brochures was developed to support people in the English-speaking Caribbean who are living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, mental health conditions, and cancer, in preparing for and managing their health during natural disasters.

Read/download the Natural disasters and persons with anxiety and depression brochure.

See all the brochures here.

CIBC Health Check – Mental Health Tips with Dr Keo Forde-St. Hill.

Tips from Tara Amour, Clinical Psychologist in Training, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus and Healthy Caribbean Youth Member.

Health Break with Ms. Alaina Gomes, Counselling Psychologist, Healthy Caribbean Youth.

Highlights from the 4th UN High Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health

Highlights from the 4th UN High Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health held on 25 September 2025 (HLM4) under the theme “Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being.”

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HCC-led Caribbean Advocacy Priorities

The HCC-led Caribbean Advocacy Priorities were developed with emphasis on the importance of identifying a set of regional priorities around which CARICOM missions and negotiators can promote at the HLM4; civil society and key advocacy partners can mobilise; and governments and key implementing partners can embrace – as all stakeholders work to accelerate progress to agreed priority NCD prevention and control objectives in CARICOM Member States.

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Lead on NCDs – Stephanie Whitman

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Youth take the lead: ECC youth forum on mental health sparks regional momentum

Bridgetown, Barbados, 30 May 2025 (PAHO) — With youth at the helm of planning and execution, the event “Let’s Talk: Bridging the Gap in Youth Mental Health” marked a transformative moment for mental health advocacy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

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Breaking the silence: Youth lead dialogue on the Commercial Determinants of Mental Health

In recognition of World Mental Health Day 2025, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) brought together partners and young people from across the Eastern Caribbean for a dynamic and inspiring forum under the theme “Breaking the Silence: Commercial Determinants of Mental Health.”

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Re-Opening Schools Shared Perspectives on Navigating Mental Health During COVID 19.

Let’s Unpack It: A Discussion on Suicide Prevention.

Looking back to move forward Caribbean Youth Mental Health , reflecting on the progress of CYMHCTA.

The Future Talks: Mental Health Matters – It’s Time for Caribbean Youth to Speak Up

Mental Health is one of the most pressing concerns of our generation. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the continued stressors of daily living, mental illness has become one of the most daunting non-communicable diseases in the Caribbean.

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