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'Everyone can be affected by mental health issues'- Local social worker

- Safe Haven Transitional Centre to launch ‘Bridge the Gap Showcase' later this month
The Safe Haven Transitional Centre (formerly Sandy lane Centre) will be launching its ‘Bridge the Gap Showcase’ later this month to encourage the public to de-stigmatise receiving mental health services. Photo: GIS/File
The public is invited to support the event in an effort to promote health and wellness in the Virgin Islands and receive inspiration on how to live satisfying lifestyles centered on wellness for all ages. Photo: GIS
The public is invited to support the event in an effort to promote health and wellness in the Virgin Islands and receive inspiration on how to live satisfying lifestyles centered on wellness for all ages. Photo: GIS
JOHNSON'S GHUT, Tortola, VI- “We want the community to understand that everyone can be affected by mental health issues especially in the stressful times that we are living in now with COVID-19 and its adverse impact on the economy,” Acting Social Worker Mr Loren Smith has said, in stressing the point that it should not be one of stigmatisation.

This is why the Safe Haven Transitional Centre (formerly Sandy lane Centre) will be launching its ‘Bridge the Gap Showcase’ later this month to encourage the public to de-stigmatise receiving mental health services.

In a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on May 10, 2022, Mr Smith said the purpose of the showcase is to create a relaxing and entertaining environment where community members can come out and be educated and learn more about mental health issues and services available locally.

Bridging the gap

The showcase also seeks to bridge the gap between mental and physical health, needing mental wellness services and knowing how and where to access these services in the Territory.

“We want the community to understand that everyone can be affected by mental health issues especially in the stressful times that we are living in now with COVID-19 and its adverse impact on the economy,” Mr Smith said.

“Persons who are unable to cope with these drastic changes and associated ramifications can be severely mentally impacted leading to mental breakdowns,” he added.

Public invited to showcase @ Tortola Pier Park

The showcase will be launched on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. The day's event will begin with warm up for Wellness Pre-Events early morning yoga and soca aerobics beginning at 6:30 a.m. and the Showcase setting off at 10:00 a.m.  

 The showcase will feature 12 booths, mental wellness and life coaching services, a panel discussion, bouncy castle, massage therapy, yoga, DJs and live performances, soca aerobic and life coaches.

The public is invited to support the event in an effort to promote health and wellness in the Virgin Islands and receive inspiration on how to live satisfying lifestyles centered on wellness for all ages.

9 Responses to “'Everyone can be affected by mental health issues'- Local social worker”

  • So true (11/05/2022, 08:41) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Especially when they become politicians in the BVI.
  • @SO TRUE ???? (11/05/2022, 09:33) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I SEE WHERE YOU COMING FROM , AND I 5HINK THOSE PEOPLE ARE BORN WITH IT , THEY USES BEING A POLITICIAN TO GET THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE THEIR DIRTY MENTALITY ON US THE POOR CITIZENS WHO THEY CAN FLEX OFF ON
  • Really (11/05/2022, 09:43) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Of course with the mark of the beast giving out world wide and this scamming government you can clearly see the old world is coming to an end. New world order get prepared
    • hm (11/05/2022, 10:19) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Thats not the mark of the beast… its too easy.. Wicked have denied it… Think deeper.. Think worship, think the days…lol if thats the case you im pretty sure have had a vax at some point in life and therefore have the mark also….
  • my 2 cents (11/05/2022, 13:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Did anyone ever consider that the former premier AF could have a mental health issue? Who in their right mind would be doing a deal to bring drugs in our territory waters and pray about it! That doesn’t make sense! A lot of his actions seem alien to the character we all knew. Mental health issues come in different forms. He was an assistant principal at the age of 23. Then a rep for the 1st district soon after. That’s a lot of responsibility for a young person. Mental health issues is a condition that gets progressively worse without medication. I am no supporter of the former premier but I like everyone else am at a loss as to how he could have done what he did when the simplest man on the street could have seen the red flags that he obviously didnt.



    • IMO (11/05/2022, 14:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      People have wondered that in quiet circles for years. The proof is in Senegal, anyone with that much obeah & witchcraft on their mind is not mentally healthy. And there are lost of unhealthy mental people around here, it's not always the ones you see reacting & frustrated though, sometimes they are the only sane ones searching for answers and explanations while everyone else in their circle goes along with the craziness lol
    • ... (12/05/2022, 08:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sometimes these people are possessed by demons they allow into themselves for power money & fame. I dont sympathize with him if that is the case its a willful choice not a mental problem and they usually have to do extreme nastiness to seal.
  • WELL HALLELUIAH (11/05/2022, 17:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHEN THEY CANNOT POINT A FINGER AT / CI*DY / JASPERT OR BORIS , NOW ITS MENTAL HEALTH , WELL SAH ????
  • Sigmund Freud (12/05/2022, 14:12) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Has anyone done a study to show if a small gene pool (in breeding) effects mental health ? The need to become a politician and steal ?


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