The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat, based in Guyana, announced on Tuesday the inception of a pivotal survey focused on the mental health and well-being concerns prevalent among the region’s youth.
This initiative unfolds in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which aligned with the observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10, emphasizing “Mental Health is a universal human right” as its central theme.
In pursuit of holistic youth development goals
The survey’s outcomes are poised to critically influence activities that resonate with the third goal of the Caricom Youth Development Action Plan.
This plan strives for the enhancement of health and the holistic well-being of adolescents and youth in alignment with Targets 3 and 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Empowering practitioners and youth leaders
Michele Small-Bartley, the Deputy Programme Manager of Youth Development at the Caricom Secretariat, shed light on the Secretariat’s strategy moving forward.
Through a synergistic collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, the gleaned data and survey results will be meticulously analyzed and harnessed to craft a program specifically aimed at augmenting the capacity of youth practitioners and leaders scattered across the community.
This envisioned program is designed as a support mechanism for practitioners, equipping them with the necessary skills to accurately identify and respond to various mental health and psychological signs and symptoms manifesting among the youth.
Engaged and trained practitioners are expected to serve as initial responders, providing invaluable support to youths grappling with challenges potentially escalating to mental health, psychological, or emotional crises.
Timely intervention amid global crises
The survey’s implementation is recognized as timely and crucial, given the predominant focus on mental health and youth in discussions and agendas featured in regional and international conferences.
Small-Bartley noted the importance of this survey leading up to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
“Exposure to environmental issues associated with climate change and social and economic challenges, further exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 occurring at the member state level, has affected young people’s ability to navigate their pathway successfully. These issues have heightened youth vulnerability, making them more susceptible to psychosocial, emotional, and mental health issues,” said Small-Bartley.
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