~New partnership will provide specialized mental health support for young people and families beginning August 1~

PHILIPSBURG/MARIGOT:--- Saint-Martin is set to make a significant breakthrough in youth mental health care with the official establishment of the Maison des Adolescents (House of Adolescents), a long-awaited initiative designed to provide specialized psychological and emotional support to young people and their families.

The milestone was marked with the signing of a partnership agreement between the Mission Locale of Saint-Martin and the Public Mental Health Establishment of Guadeloupe (EPSM). The agreement was signed in the presence of EPSM Director Mrs. Ida Jhigaï and Deputy Director for Social and Medico-Social Services Mrs. Myriam Moïso, officially paving the way for the new service to begin operations on August 1, 2026.

The Maison des Adolescents will be the first dedicated center in Saint-Martin to focus entirely on the emotional, psychological, and mental well-being of adolescents and young adults. The facility will provide confidential access to listening services, counseling, prevention programs, guidance, referrals, and professional mental health support for young people experiencing a wide range of challenges.

The initiative is being hailed as a major advancement in the island's approach to youth development, recognizing that mental health is a critical pillar of education, employment, family stability, and social inclusion.

As President of the Mission Locale of Saint-Martin and the elected official responsible for Youth Affairs, the project's driving force described the signing as one of the most important achievements for the island's young people.

"This is a major milestone for the youth of Saint-Martin," she said. "Young people facing mental health challenges will now have access to a safe, caring, and confidential space where they can be listened to, supported, and guided by qualified professionals."

Officials stressed that the Maison des Adolescents is intended to address the growing mental health needs among adolescents, an issue that has become increasingly urgent worldwide as anxiety, depression, social isolation, bullying, trauma, and emotional distress continue to affect growing numbers of young people.

One of the center's most critical roles will be providing immediate support for adolescents experiencing severe psychological distress, including those suffering from suicidal thoughts or those who have attempted suicide. Through the new partnership with the Guadeloupe Public Mental Health Establishment, vulnerable youth will be able to receive quicker assessments, professional intervention, and referrals to specialized treatment when necessary.

The center is expected to work closely with schools, healthcare providers, social workers, families, and community organizations to ensure that young people receive comprehensive and coordinated care before mental health issues escalate into more serious crises.

Officials emphasized that mental health cannot be separated from a young person's ability to succeed academically, socially, or professionally.

The Mission Locale reaffirmed its commitment to providing holistic support that addresses not only employment and educational opportunities but also the emotional and psychological well-being of the island's youth.

The new center will therefore complement the Mission Locale's existing services by ensuring that young people receive assistance across every aspect of their personal development—from education and employment to emotional resilience and social inclusion.

During the announcement, special recognition was given to the teams of the Guadeloupe Public Mental Health Establishment, including Director Mrs. Ida Jhigaï and Deputy Director Mrs. Myriam Moïso, whose collaboration made the project possible.

Gratitude was also extended to the staff of the Mission Locale and the many healthcare and social service professionals whose work will help provide high-quality support to young people across Saint-Martin.

The establishment of the Maison des Adolescents represents more than the opening of a new facility. It signals a growing recognition that mental health must become a central component of public policy and youth development.

Officials expressed hope that the initiative will help remove the stigma surrounding mental illness while encouraging more young people and families to seek help before problems become overwhelming.

The message behind the project is clear: no young person should have to face emotional or psychological struggles alone.

With its doors scheduled to open on August 1, the Maison des Adolescents is expected to become a vital resource for hundreds of young people, offering them hope, guidance, professional care, and a safe place to turn during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

As Saint-Martin continues investing in its next generation, leaders say protecting the mental health of young people is no longer optional—it is essential for building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient society.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice is pleased to announce the official launch of its new Foreigners Management System (FMS) Online Platform, a major milestone in the modernization and digital transformation of Sint Maarten's immigration services.

Developed and implemented by the Immigration and Border Protection Service (IBPS), the new platform reflects the Ministry's commitment to delivering smarter, faster, and more secure public services while improving the experience of residents, employers, legal representatives, and other stakeholders who rely on immigration services.

“This new platform is about making government services work better for our community," said Minister of Justice Nathalie M. Tackling. "It provides a simpler, more efficient way for applicants to submit and track their immigration applications while strengthening the quality and security of our services.”

Accessible athttps://services.sintmaartengov.org (navigate to the Justice section and click Residence Permit Application), the new online portal replaces manual, fragmented processes with a centralized digital system designed to streamline immigration procedures, strengthen data security, and significantly improve operational efficiency.

Through the implementation of the Foreigners Management System, the Immigration and Border Protection Service will benefit from a centralized and secure digital immigration database, faster processing and more efficient decision-making, improved accuracy in recordkeeping and case management, enhanced collaboration with key government partners, including the Department of Labor Affairs and the Civil Registry, and increased transparency and improved customer service for applicants and employers.

The launch of the FMS forms part of the Government of Sint Maarten's broader digital transformation agenda and demonstrates the Ministry of Justice's continued commitment to innovation, modernization, and service excellence.

The new FMS Online Portal has been designed to make accessing immigration services easier, faster, and more convenient than ever before.

Using the platform is simple. Applicants can register by creating a secure online account, complete and submit their application along with the required supporting documents electronically, and track the status of their application online anytime, from anywhere.

By digitizing the application process, the platform reduces paperwork, minimizes processing delays, and provides applicants with the convenience of managing their immigration applications from their home or office.

The Ministry encourages all employers, applicants, legal representatives, and members of the public who utilize immigration services to visit the new portal and familiarize themselves with its features.

The Immigration and Border Protection Service remains committed to providing efficient, transparent, and customer-focused services while continuing to modernize its operations in line with international best practices.

The new Foreigners Management System (FMS) Online Portal can be accessed at https://services.sintmaartengov.org by navigating to the Justice section and clicking Residence Permit Application.

Additional guidance on using the new FMS Online Portal will be shared to support users throughout the transition. The Ministry of Justice thanks the public for its continued cooperation and looks forward to delivering a more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly immigration experience through the new Foreigners Management System.

–

CARIBPR WIRE, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico:---  L’Oréal Caribe and the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean announce the opening of the 2026 call for applications for the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program, an initiative that recognizes and supports outstanding women researchers from the region by awarding two $15,000 USD grants to advance the development of their scientific research.

The call for applications will be open from May 19 through August 14, 2026, and is intended for women scientists from the Caribbean who are pursuing doctoral studies, conducting postdoctoral research, or are in the early stages of a scientific research career within the program’s eligible STEM disciplines.

The program is part of the renowned global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science movement, created to promote women’s participation in scientific research and help reduce the gender gaps that continue to persist in STEM fields. In the Caribbean, the initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and the Caribbean Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

“At L’Oréal Caribe, we firmly believe that science needs the talent, creativity, and leadership of women to address the challenges of today and the future. Through For Women in Science, we seek to increase the visibility of and support women researchers who are generating knowledge and innovation with an impact on our region and the world,” said Liana Camacho, Market Vice President of L’Oréal Caribe.
Eligible candidates must conduct research in areas such as formal sciences, life and environmental sciences, materials science, engineering, and technological sciences. The awards seek to provide financial support and recognition to women who contribute to scientific advancement across different fields of knowledge and whose research helps drive solutions to some of the main challenges facing the region.

“UNESCO works to recognize and promote the talent of women in science, foster diverse perspectives, and break down the barriers that limit their professional development,” said Audrey Azoulay, General Director of UNESCO.

In its 2025 edition, the program recognized Jamaican scientists Dr. Lori-Ann Fisher and Dr. Arianne Brown Jordan for research addressing important health and environmental challenges. Dr. Fisher conducts research on genetic factors associated with liver diseases, while Dr. Brown Jordan studies the presence of bacterial diseases in water systems serving vulnerable communities. Their research highlights the impact of Caribbean women scientists in generating knowledge and solutions for the region.
Globally, women continue to face significant challenges in the scientific field. According to UNESCO data, women represent approximately one-third of researchers worldwide. Although Latin America and the Caribbean have a higher representation of women in science than the global average, significant challenges remain regarding access to funding, visibility, and leadership opportunities in scientific research.

Interested applicants can review the complete eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the For Women in Science application platform https://www.forwomeninscience.com/challenge/show/167 . The deadline to apply is August 14, 2026.

About L’Oréal Caribe
L’Oréal is recognized as the world’s leading beauty company, with a broad portfolio of brands distributed across four main divisions: Consumer Products, Professional Products, L’Oréal Luxe, and Dermatological Beauty. From its offices in Puerto Rico, L’Oréal Caribe oversees operations across 25 Caribbean islands, with the mission to create the beauty that moves the world: beauty that is inclusive, ethical, generous, and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With a portfolio of 31 international brands and ambitious sustainability goals under our L’Oréal for the Future program, we strive to offer everyone, everywhere, the best in quality, efficacy, safety, transparency, and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in all its infinite forms.

For more information, visit L’Oréal Caribe’s official website: https://www.loreal.com/en/caribe/