(CMR) Governor His Excellency Martyn Roper said it is very important that the people of the Cayman Islands address the mental health conversation head-on as it has been a heavily stigmatized topic.
“Mental health is amongst a number of other heavily stigmatized topics that we, as a community, tend to avoid discussing. Sexual identity, child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual harassment are also issues that are considered too taboo to be talked about, but the only way that we can really make a difference is to open up these discussions publicly,” Governor Roper said.
Mr. Roper, who attended the naming ceremony for the LOUD Silent Voices group home in West Bay last week, commended the organization for its role in addressing mental health in the community.
“I commend President Jackie Neal and all at LOUD Silent Voices for their work to educate, support, and raise awareness around mental illness and mental health in Cayman. It is such an important topic, and I am pleased to have seen progress during my time as Governor over the last four and a half years,” Mr. Roper stated.
The LOUD Silent Voices group home, Mercury House, was named by Mr. Peter Kandiah, one of the key donors to the project.
The home plays an important role as a halfway house by providing supported housing with a pathway to independent living for individuals struggling with mental health. It supports these individuals to live fulfilling lives in the community.
“The face of mental health in the Cayman Islands is slowly but steadily changing, and organizations such as LOUD Silent Voices, other NGOs, and Government agencies are taking encouraging steps toward improving the access to mental health services and support,” Governor Roper said.
He also noted that mental health is a strong Government priority under Minister of Health Sabrina Turner’s leadership. Turner said the Government is committed to ensuring that a fully functional residential mental facility is opened as soon as possible.
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