Mental Health Advocate calls for change following Lateefa George Autopsy results.

Chaneil Imhoff

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One local mental health advocate is speaking out and demanding greater improvements to the mental health care system in Antigua and Barbuda.

Chaneil Imhoff’s refreshed calls stem from the recent and disturbing autopsy results for (Lateefa George), a patient who died under suspicious circumstances while at the country’s lone mental health facility, Clarevue Physiciatric Hospital.

George’s death while receiving inpatient treatment at the hospital made headlines late last year with many clamoring for an overhaul of mental health care in the twin-island nation, long a bone of contention among residents.

One of those residents being Imhoff.

An autopsy was carried out and the findings from Dr. P. Miller Nanton suggested that brain trauma, oxygen deprivation, infection, and possible poisoning contributed to her death.

Findings in which Imhoff mentioned “are nothing short of devastating”.

In this latest response, Imhoff not only expressed condolences to George’s family but echoed their plea for a thorough investigation to be done to hold all those responsible accountable.

“As a mental health advocate, I have spent years calling for comprehensive reforms to our nation’s outdated mental healthcare system. Lateefa’s story is a sobering reminder that the status quo is unacceptable and that urgent changes are needed to protect the lives and dignity of those grappling with mental health challenges.

“The alleged negligence and potential misconduct surrounding Lateefa’s care and the subsequent investigation are deeply concerning. I echo the George family’s calls for a thorough, impartial inquiry to uncover the truth and hold all responsible parties accountable. Transparency and justice are paramount in this heartbreaking situation,” Imhoff said.

She reiterated calls for the enhancement of the infrastructure in the country where mental health is concerned.

“For too long, our mental healthcare infrastructure has been underfunded, understaffed, and ill-equipped to provide the compassionate, holistic care that individuals in crisis so desperately need.  It is high time we prioritize the integration of mental and physical healthcare, updating antiquated legislation, and establishing modern, humane psychiatric facilities.

“Lateefa’s memory must serve as a catalyst for real, lasting change. We owe it to her, her family, and countless others to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness and build a system that prioritizes empathy, dignity, and evidence-based care. In this time of unimaginable grief, I urge our community to come together, support one another, and advocate tirelessly for the reforms our mental healthcare system so desperately needs,” she added.

For those seeking support, Mental Health Talk Antigua has compiled a list of local mental health professionals and resources, which can be found on their website.

“We cannot allow Lateefa’s tragic story to be in vain. Let her memory be a rallying cry for a future where no family endures such preventable pain, and where everyone can access the compassionate mental healthcare they deserve,” Imhoff said.