(CMR) Jackie Neil, President of Loud Silent Voices, and the board of directors opened an 8 bedroom community group home for mental health clients in West Bay Saturday afternoon with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The first-of-its-kind facility in the Cayman Islands was a long-term dream of Neil who shared her own personal struggles having a son who dealt with mental health issues.
The support group home will officially open its door on Monday and begin accepting clients immediately. Her support group ‘LOUD Silent Voices’ has been a catalyst for change for those suffering from mental issue issues and their caregivers. Neil shared:
“One of the things that I said was, I want to have a place where people that have a mental illness can go be in a safe space, with people to care for them, support them towards independent living because they can, some of them can, and then build that family relationship.”
Neil worked with Mental Health Commission chairman Dr. Marc Lockhart and other mental health professionals to bring her dream to fruition. LOUD Silent Voices will not only provide a supportive physical space for clients but also support families in need. Community groups such as this are extremely important shared HE The Governor who was in attendance. He also welcomed the government's commitment to do more to reduce the stigma around mental health and ensure it is a top priority. He acknowledged that the pandemic has “exacerbated existing challenges” but congratulated Neil's important role and noted that”
“Ms. Jackie’s efforts and determination coming from her own personal story are an inspiration to us all.”
Premier Wayne Panton and his wife were also in attendance and noted that:
“This is such an amazing addition to help people in our country and their families struggling with their mental health. “
Other MPs in attendance included Ministers Kenneth Bryan, Andre Ebanks Bernie Bush and Parliamentary Secretaries Heather Bodden and Kathy Wilks. The Deputy Governor announced that the NPO would be one of the recipients of the DG5K next year.
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