WISH responds to recent commentary on mental health in Antigua and Barbuda by Yves Ephraim

WISH Responds to Recent Commentary on Mental Health in Antigua and Barbuda

“For lack of wisdom, my people perish” – Hosea 4:6. This powerful scripture speaks to the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding concerning human well-being. While religion and spirituality play vital roles in our society and personal lives, they should never be wielded as tools to dismiss or degrade scientifc research and medical facts. As the verse suggests, true wisdom comes from embracing both spiritual insights and human understanding – including the vast body of research and evidence supporting mental health care.

Today, the Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing (WISH) addresses recent commentary questioning the legitimacy of mental health concerns in our community. As a mental health advocacy organization in Antigua and Barbuda, we feel compelled to provide clarity and context to this important discussion.

“Mental health challenges are not a product of moral failure or lack of faith – they are legitimate medical conditions that afect one in four Caribbean citizens,” states WISH founder Chaneil Imhof. “The World Health Organization reports that mental health conditions have increased by 25% since the pandemic, impacting people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and walks of life. Dismissing these challenges as merely spiritual issues does a grave disservice to our community and potentially prevents people from seeking life-saving help.”

Imhof continues, “We’ve seen frsthand how untreated mental health conditions impact families, workplaces, and communities across our islands. The statistics are clear: 75% of mental health conditions develop before age 24, yet the average person waits 11 years before seeking help, largely due to stigma and misconceptions.”

WISH Content Creator Raisa Charles ofers a balanced perspective on the intersection of faith and mental healthcare: “Religious freedom is a constitutional right and plays an important role in our society. People should do whatever helps them feel spiritually grounded and connected.

However, we must be wary of indulging in spiritual escapism remembering that some approaches can be so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good. The idea that a person’s mental health struggle is their fault due to a lack of faith is unsupportive at best and extremely harmful at worst. While involvement with communities of faith and spiritual support systems are often part of the treatment approach for improving a person’s mental health, these measures are especially efective when paired with credible assessment, accurate diagnosis and therapeutic intervention where necessary. It is imperative that we, as a people, arm ourselves with sound, evidence-based information before attempting to ofer care and support to vulnerable communities.”

WISH advocates for a comprehensive approach to mental health that:

Recognizes mental health as a fundamental aspect of overall wellbeing
Supports evidence-based treatment methods while respecting cultural and spiritual beliefs
Promotes early intervention and prevention strategies
Reduces stigma through education and open dialogue
Increases accessibility to mental health resources across Antigua and Barbuda

We invite religious leaders, community members, and all stakeholders to join us in creating a more compassionate and informed dialogue about mental health.

For more information about mental health resources and WISH’s initiatives, please visit our website at wishwadadli.org.

The Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing (WISH) is a mental health platform in Antigua and Barbuda, dedicated to revolutionizing how our nation thinks about, talks about, and cares for mental health. Through education and advocacy, WISH works to break the silence, shatter stigmas, and create positive change in mental health awareness.

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