Good morning, fellow Virgin Islanders, residents and friends. As the Minister of Health and Social Development it is an honor for me to be here today to celebrate the successful collaboration between BVI and the Pan American Health Organization (or PAHO), with financing support from the Caribbean Development Bank.

The Government of the Virgin Islands recently hosted its first webinar to address psychosocial and mental health support during COVID-19.

The public is notified that the BVI Health Services Authority has established a psychosocial hotline to assist persons with their mental wellness and emotional imbalance amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is building capacity in its technical staff to manage mental, neurological and substance disorders.

The public is notified that the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will be hosting a Golden Hat Hunt as part of activities to commemorate World Mental Health Day on Thursday October 10.  

Director of Mental Health, Dr. Virginia Rubaine has said that the community must recognise that apart from mental health and depression diagnoses, there are other factors contributing to suicide.

The Virgin Islands Alzheimer’s Association is a non-profit organization which aims to create awareness, encourage prevention of the disease and be the support system for families coping with loved ones suffering from the disease.