PHILIPSBURG:--- Representatives of the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) attended the 10th anniversary of Mental Health Caribbean (MHC) over a three-day celebration in Bonaire from June 1 through 3, 2022.
The MHF team, which consisted of Dr. Kitty Pelswijk, a psychiatrist of MHF, and Ms. Eileen Healy, project coordinator and former director of MHF, actively participated and benefitted from the scheduled symposium, which covered topics such as psychiatry, psychosis, and de-stigmatization in mental health care.
The three-day event was inaugurated by Managing Director of MHC, Mr. Eric Jansen, and also explored topics pertaining to child motivation and inspiration, and youth trauma. Two highlights of the event were the introduction of a new book titled “Un kashi yen” a “Full Closet”, which addresses young children’s experiences and coping in abusive situations and the knighting of Mr. Marcelino Mauricio of MHC with the Knighthood of Oranje Nassau by His Excellency Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Edison Rijna on behalf of King Willem Alexander.
The MHF attendees disclosed that the interactive program was very well presented, deeply educational, and boasted of new insights into new treatment methods. Their experience concluded with a graduation ceremony for the first batch of GZ psychologists within all islands in the Kingdom.
MHF has been an active stakeholder of MHC for the past 10 years and extends psychiatric care, crisis intervention, and admissions for Saba and St. Eustatius. During the past 10 years, MHC has managed to reduce the stigma on Mental Health and raise awareness on the balance between physical health and mental health, with the latter being an essential component of overall wellbeing within any population.
