On July 17, I had the privilege of presenting at the Government of the Virgin Islands Health and Wellness Expo. The energy observed as the event affirmed what I have long hoped for and now believe: Our community is ready to talk about mental health. Conversation alone is not enough, we must act.
Mental health is not only a personal issue but a public health priority. According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency, one in four adults across the Caribbean live with a diagnosable mental health condition; yet more than 70% go untreated. These statistics are alarming in that they reflect not only data, but our family members, neighbors, students, coworkers and maybe even ourselves. In the Virgin Islands, we are not immune. We continue to navigate the aftermath of hurricanes, economic uncertainty, systemic inequities and collective trauma. Repeated exposure to these unfavorable circumstances increases our risk for mental health challenges.
During my talk, I emphasized that shame produces trauma. As author bell hooks wrote, “when you feel like you can’t tell your story…that creates a wound.” Many people in our community carry those wounds, deepened by stigma and a deep-seeded mistrust in healthcare systems. We are too often told that seeking help is a weakness, or that prayer alone will suffice. While faith, family and community are vital to healing, especially within our community, we should not discount the value of our mental health providers who provide culturally-informed mental health care.
This is not a suggestion to discard our cultural traditions, but a call to integrate them. We can blend the wisdom of our elders, the strengths of our family and community bonds, and the resilience of our ancestors with contemporary tools like therapy, journaling and mindfulness. Mental health must be decolonized, re-established and reclaimed in ways that honor and serve who we are.
Improving mental health in the Virgin Islands requires more than treatment and access to care, it demands prevention, education, and long-term support throughout the lifespan. In schools, we can teach emotional intelligence and nonviolent communication to help children mange stress early. For those living with chronic mental illness, we need long-term care programs, adolescent behavioral supports, and independent living services that promote dignity and recovery. Parents, seniors, and new mothers also need accessible spaces, like day treatment programs and family support groups, for connection, education and healing.
But this responsibility does not fall solely on government agencies, it belongs to all of us. As individuals, we can normalize open conversations about mental health in our homes. As educators, we can foster classrooms that support emotional expression. As healthcare providers, we must deliver care that honors cultural identity and historical context. And as policymakers, we must fund and prioritize mental wellness not as an afterthought, but as a cornerstone of community well-being.
Mental wellness is not a luxury but a human right. It is time that we move beyond stigma and create lasting pathways to healing. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier Virgin Islands.
St. Croix Source
Op-ed
