WISH launches official website and social media pages on World Mental Health Day

October 10, 2024, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda………….. WISH- Wadadli Initiative for Self-Care and Healing launched its official website and social media pages on World Mental Health Day today.

WISH Founder Chaneil Imhoff remarked during the launch ceremony held at the Department of Environment Conference Room that the goal of the new local project is to provide a safe space and a Caribbean-centered platform for conversations on mental health and holistic
wellness.

“For too long, we’ve treated mental health as a foreign concept, something that happens to ‘other people’ or in ‘other places’. We’ve hidden behind the facade of our beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, pretending that beneath the surface, there isn’t a rising tide of mental
health challenges threatening to engulf us.”

Imhoff added that having mental health and its challenges addressed is an essential need that can no longer be overlooked in society.

“The truth is, mental health is not a luxury or an afterthought. It’s not something we can afford to ignore any longer. It’s as essential as the air we breathe, as vital as the water we drink.”

Minister with responsibility for Social Transformation Honorable Samantha Marshall congratulated WISH on its launch during her address to both online and special guests.

Marshall welcomed the recent move by the Government to purchase a new facility for mental health patients currently at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital but urged that more needs to be done to improve and enhance the local mental wellness landscape.

WISH would like to thank its partners, contributors and friends, Minister of Information Honorable Melford Nicholas, Minister with responsibility for Social Transformation Honorable Samantha Marshall, Gail Christian, Halo Foundation, Department of Environment, Ricardo Barriteau Drue Foundation, ABS, GIS, other media partners and all those who assisted in the development and implementation process of the initiative.