Montserrat Youth Selected as Mental Health Focal Points

Two Montserrat youth have been selected as Mental Health Focal Points by the United Nations Children Fund..UNICEF.

Yah’da Nicholas-Samuel and Nianna St. Claire join youth mental health focal points who have been appointed from across 17 Caribbean territories through an exciting new partnership between UNICEF and the youth-led regional mental health advocacy organization “Let’s Unpack It.” 

The Caribbean Youth National Mental Health Focal Point Network will help to design and implement initiatives and campaigns around mental health and wellness; represent the opinions of Caribbean youth at regional and international meetings, conferences, and symposia; and help to mobilize other children and youth to end the stigma and prioritize mental health and wellness.

Each country's focal point will also benefit from training, career development and opportunities to participate in regional and international efforts.

UNICEF has also partnered with the CARICOM Secretariat on a comprehensive survey to better understand the mental health status of young people across the Caribbean.

Meantime, UNICEF Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Specialist Bertrand Moses revealed that while the Eastern Caribbean Area office provided technical guidance, the views of children and young people, precedence in the program's development, design and implementation.

He disclosed that UNICEF has also committed to providing capacity building, certified training and mentorship to the youth advocates.

The advocates between the ages of 15 and 24 will be expected to attend monthly committee meetings, implement youth mental health programmes in their countries, and mobilize young people to play an active role in prioritizing child and youth mental health and wellness. They will serve for two years and can reapply after their tenure.