The Gift of Mental Wealth

What is the Gift of Mental Wealth? It is a term to describe this campaign. Let me explain. Here in the Cayman Islands a recent survey revealed that of 955 participants, aged 15-19 years old, more than half had experienced severe depression and an alarming number had experienced suicidal thoughts. Of those experiencing suicidal thoughts, 39.2% had tried to kill themselves on more than one occasion. Could this have been prevented? Could these adolescents have accessed professional help? I believe with the Gift of Mental Wealth many of these adolescents would NOT be depressed. Depression and/or anxiety are NOT choices. They are illnesses. However, how we choose to deal with any mental illness IS a choice.

Whilst currently in the Cayman Islands we do not have a secure mental health facility for teenagers, we do have excellent private businesses that operate on a daily basis to treat children and adolescents who are suffering from depression and/or anxiety. Despite this, many health insurance providers in the Cayman Islands do not provide adequate coverage for treatment of mental health issues and some adolescents simply, due to no fault of their own, do not have health insurance.

This is where the Gift of Mental Wealth comes in. I want to raise funds for ‘at risk’ teenagers to receive at a maximum 10 treatment sessions at the Wellness Centre, or another licensed mental health facility in the Cayman Islands depending on individual need. These teenagers are between the age of 12 and 18 years, have been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety and do not have adequate health insurance. Thank you so much in advance for your kind generosity!

I will be providing updates in the future as to exactly how many teenagers accessed treatment.

Where would YOU be without not only your physical well-being but your mental health also?