29-year-old Young Professional Crystal A. K. Estridge is the Behavioural Health Coordinator at BVI Health Services Authority. Photo: Provided

Behavioural Health Unit staff on Alzheimers Awareness Day. Photo: Provided

Ms Crystal A. K. Estridge believes government should consider the implications of COVID-19 on the mental well-being of persons in the Territory. Photo: Provided

Our Young Professional said while hopes of perusing a career arts and craft is now on the back burner, a future writing project is highly possible. Photo: Provided

Academic Excellence

Originally from Horse Path, Tortola, but with deep roots in Anegada via her mother Melinda Wheatley-Rubaine, Crystal was educated at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School where she graduated in 2002, placing 5^th overall, and then attended Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) where she graduated in 2007.

Academically, our Young Professional has always excelled throughout her school life. She was a top student for the 5 Arts Programme and top student for Literature, Integrated Science and History.

Crystal was also Awarded an Obed Malone International Scholarship for placing in the top 10 (9^th place) at the School Leaving Examination (SLE) at ESHS.

She went on achieve an Associate of Arts in General Studies, with concentration in Humanities, at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in 2009 and then attended Towson University in Maryland, USA, where she attained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2011.

Crystal also holds a Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (with Merit) from University College London (UCL).

Job Life

Ms Crystal A. K. Estridge currently works at the Behavioural Health Unit of D. Orlando Smith Hospital, formerly Peebles Hospital, as the Behavioural Health Coordinator.

“The Behavioural Health Unit offers in-patient services to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. These include, but are not limited to, issues of depression, substance and/or alcohol abuse and schizophrenia.”

She said the unit also provides multidisciplinary intervention that includes input from psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapy.

“As the Coordinator, I am tasked with the job of ensuring that patients have access to all the resources they need both in hospital and from outer agencies. I am also tasked with providing initial assessments, administering screening tools, conducting group sessions, improving policies and procedures, and working on programme improvement initiatives,” she told Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).

Crystal said interacting with patients remains some of the most enjoyable parts of the job. One challenge, however, is not being able to implement or carry out all the ideas she wants, “as there are specific processes that have to be followed before implementation can occur.”

Our Young Professional noted too that the biggest life lesson so far has been to overcome failure, “I’d always grown up being a perfectionist and would be very hard on myself for any ‘perceived’ failure.”

She underscored that time has taught her that some failures are lessons that get you to the place that you need to be. “Also, your best is oftentimes good enough and there is no need to second guess yourself and your abilities.”

Finding Inspiration

“To be honest, when I started at HLSCC I did not know what I wanted to do, hence the General Studies programme; however, I told my advisor that areas of interest included English and history. This led to the recommendation of the Humanities track of the General Studies programme.”

She said after one Psychology course, she knew then what path she wanted to be on. “I later realised that I have a mind that always wants to figure things out and I’m also just a genuinely caring person who wants the best for each individual.”

Ms Estridge continued, “So psychology definitely suits my personality. Additionally, I grew up with a single mother who always advocated for me to pursue higher education. So tertiary education was essentially compulsory and not necessarily a choice.”

Before settling into her current job, our Young Professional gained vast experiences in several areas, including Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Safe Haven Transitional Centre as a Social Worker, at the Sandy Lane Centre as Assistant Addiction Counsellor and also has a number of Graduate Degree related Experience.

She also has UK work experience and has Volunteered at the UNICEF’s “Return to Happiness” programme (Road Town Centre, post-Irma) and even did a stint as a sales representative at Nagico Insurances.

Naturally Artistic

A passion for the arts, Crystal has also been the Music Teacher at Enis Adams Primary School and taught piano at Potential Unlimited.

“I do have a part-time job which I have been doing since I was in high school. I teach piano two times a week. I’ve actually been playing the piano since I was probably in Class Two and have successfully passed the Royal Schools of Music Grade 8 exam in piano.”

She said she also has has a grade 6 certification in flute and has been teaching herself to play the guitar more recently, “As a child, I also played steel pan and recorder, so music is a big deal to me.”

She revealed to VINO that while she loves her current job, the passion for arts and craft is still alive.

“I think that I’m a very artistic person and my initial passion was to become a fashion designer; however, my rational 16-year-old mind didn’t think that path was likely to be successful, so I quickly discarded that idea.”

“I also wanted to be a writer/journalist and even job trained at ZBVI. I’m lucky that I’m a person with multiple passions, so I actually do also love the field that I’m in,” she said.

Crystal added while hopes of persuing a career in arts and craft is now on the back burner, a future writing project is highly possible.

Staying Focused

Turning attention to what keeps her focused, our young professional said personal goals, “I’ve always envisioned certain things for my life, and while I have not accomplished all in the time frame I had imagined, I feel that I’m well on my way. I hope to achieve a few of my next major goals within the next five years.”

Crystal said he always had a love for children, which motivated her to concentrate on child and adolescent mental health when pursuing her master’s degree.

“However, throughout my career in the BVI, I’ve mostly worked with the adult population. While in the UK I participated in a research study that focused on intellectual disabilities in children and also had a placement at a children’s hospital where there was a great focus on Tourette Syndrome.”

Our Young Professional noted that one of the main places she worked upon her return to the Virgin Islands was the Autism BVI Centre, “however, there were no suitable vacancies at the time. As it relates to education, I initially wanted to pursue a PhD in Developmental Psychology, but I’m uncertain about this particular goal at this time,” she said.

COVID-19 in the VI

Turning her attention to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects in the VI, she said as someone who works at the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), it has affected the job greatly.

“Currently, some workers are being reallocated to support the hospital in the preparation for a crisis. They are being very proactive about the situation. The majority of mental health personnel, excluding doctors and nurses, are currently providing interventions through telemedicine. As the population that I work with are admitted to hospital, this poses a limitation on the support that I can usually offer.”

Crystal said; however, that COVID-19 has allowed her to spend more time with family. “I have a very close relationship with my family and a few select others. Being at home has allowed me to spend more quality time with the family members that I do live with, which has been positive.

“Additionally, as a person who likes to experience all that life has to offer, I’m missing things such as Sunday brunch with college friends and karaoke on Wednesday nights; however, I know it’s for the greater good and I know that this too shall pass.”

Gov’t & handling the pandemic

Touching on how the situation of COVID-19 is being handled in the Territory, Crystal said, “currently, I think the government is handling the situation appropriately by following the guidance of experts in the area. I would encourage that they continue on this route.”

She recommended; however, that more emphasis be placed on the implications of the pandemic on the mental well-being of individuals.

“Not only will many be anxious, but some may also likely become depressed and feel hopeless. Others may turn to alcohol and other substances to cope or engage in other negative coping behaviours. Isolation may prove difficult for some, while others may have a hard time based on family dynamics at home.”

She said many will also worry about issues such as job security, finances, food and the long term effects on their life.

“People may be reminded of the trauma that they experienced during the hurricanes of 2017, which could amp up the anxiety. Following the hurricanes, seemingly unrelated deaths followed. I would advise all to remember that,” Ms  Estridge warned

“There is no health without mental health,” she added and urge people that if they experience difficulties when things return to relative normalcy, they should seek help.

“I know that there is a grave stigma attached to mental health, but your personal well-being is more important than the opinions of others.”  

Pursuing Dreams

For young people looking to pursue and achieve a dream, she said, “I would let them know that they are competent and that no dream is too big or unachievable; however, it will take hard work and a serious mind.”

Reflecting on her past, our Young Professional also noted that she did not grow up in the "best circumstances" yet was able to achieve a lot.

“I was raised by a single, teenaged mother who did her best and was amazing, but I had to put in the work to get to where I am. Though college was advocated, funding was limited. Going to college meant getting good grades to attain a scholarship, it meant working while attending high school and putting money towards my college fund.”

She said she also faced other struggles such as working two jobs to make ends meet, “I have faced periods of prolonged unemployment that I may not have experienced if I had the right contacts,” she said, emphasising the importance of networking.  

Parting Advice

While also encouraging persons to join her profession, Crystal encouraged them to do the research and speak to others in the field for guidance on what particular degrees suits their interests.

“This guidance will also be important in informing them about the needs of the population, should their interest be in returning home.”

“Work hard and don’t give up. Be smart and set realistic goals; however, don’t forget to have fun, enjoy life and appreciate the little things. Time goes fast,” she said. 

Ms Crystal A. K. Estridge encourages youths to always maintain hope even when times are tough. “Hope can be found in a variety of things including one’s faith in God, faith in your own abilities or faith in your support system. Use that hope to fuel you to keep going. The pay-off is often greater than you expected.”