CARICOM is launching a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Programme designed to equip youth directors, development workers, and leaders with the skills necessary to support young people facing emotional and mental health challenges.
This initiative is part of CARICOM’s continued efforts to address mental health issues among the region’s youth.
Michele Small-Bartley, Programme Manager for Youth Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, highlighted the importance of the programme. “We aim to empower our youth directors, officers, and leaders across the Community to recognize and address the needs of young people, ensuring they receive the care and guidance they require,” she said.
Set to begin in September 2024, the six-week MHFA Programme will be offered free of charge, underscoring CARICOM’s commitment to accessible mental health resources.
Small-Bartley noted that the programme will emphasize experiential learning, with a focus on hands-on approaches and fieldwork, ensuring participants can apply their knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
Targeting youth directors, officers, and leaders across CARICOM member states, the programme aims to equip participants to act as effective first responders in mental health situations.
This initiative is crucial for supporting young people who may be in greater need of attention but hesitant to seek professional help.
Small-Bartley expressed enthusiasm for the programme’s potential impact, saying, “We are eager to see active participation from the region’s youth stakeholders. The Secretariat is excited about MHFA’s potential to positively impact youth and prepare our communities to navigate mental health challenges.”
The MHFA Programme is part of CARICOM’s ongoing efforts to build capacity among Caribbean youth and follows two successful initiatives earlier this year.
In April 2024, CARICOM collaborated with the Pan American Health Organisation’s (PAHO) Climate Change and Health Project (CCH), engaging CARICOM Youth Ambassadors (CYAs) and regional youth leaders in knowledge sharing to address climate change and health issues.
Later, in July 2024, CYAs enhanced their advocacy skills for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) during a CYA-CSME Attachment Programme.
Invitations to participate in the MHFA Programme have been extended to ministries responsible for youth development across the region, with a particular focus on youth directors and officers.
CARICOM encourages all eligible individuals to seize this valuable opportunity to enhance their skills in supporting youth mental health.
