W.I.S.H Marks One Year of Changing the Mental Health Conversation in Antigua and Barbuda

Exactly one year ago, on World Mental Health Day 2024, a new voice for healing and hope emerged in Antigua and Barbuda.

Today, the Wadadli Initiative for Self-care and Healing (W.I.S.H) proudly celebrates its first anniversary, reflecting on a year of breaking silence, building compassion, and transforming the way the nation speaks about mental health.

Founded by Chaneil Imhoff, an award-winning entrepreneur, communications specialist, and mental health advocate, W.I.S.H. began as a simple message: “It’s okay to not be okay.” What started as a small community campaign has evolved into a respected advocacy organization that influences public policy, reaches thousands, and fosters a culture where mental wellness is a shared national value.

In its first year, W.I.S.H. has achieved several major milestones. The organization received a UNESCO grant to expand digital outreach and community engagement, solidifying its place as a Caribbean leader in mental health advocacy.

Through storytelling, infographics, and social media campaigns, W.I.S.H reached more than 20,000 people online, dismantling stigma and normalizing conversations around emotional wellbeing.

Among its standout initiatives is the W.I.S.H Mood Tracker, an upcoming digital tool designed to help individuals track their emotions and connect to supportive resources — a first of its kind for the region. The organization has also partnered with educators and youth leaders to integrate emotional literacy and self-care into schools, empowering young people to prioritize mental wellness early.

Beyond outreach, W.I.S.H continues to advocate for mental health law reform, workplace wellness policies, and greater access to psychosocial support — efforts that align with the PAHO Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy, which emphasizes mental health, equity, and community-based care.

“When I started W.I.S.H, I just wanted to create a safe space for people to heal and be heard,” said Chaneil Imhoff, Founder of W.I.S.H. “One year later, we’ve seen hearts open, families reconnect, and communities realize that healing is not a luxury — it’s a right. Our next goal is to take this movement into policy, classrooms, and workplaces, so that mental health becomes everyone’s business.”

Looking ahead to 2026, W.I.S.H will focus on five strategic priorities: deepening policy engagement with lawmakers, conducting a nationwide mental health survey, launching the Mood Tracker app, introducing mental health education into schools, and certifying 50 Mental Health First Aid responders across Antigua and Barbuda.

As it celebrates its first anniversary, W.I.S.H expressed heartfelt gratitude to its volunteers, partners, and supporters, including UNESCO, the Ministry of Health and the Environment, and PAHO, for believing in the vision from the very beginning.

At its heart, W.I.S.H remains about people, their stories, their healing, and their hope. As Imhoff noted, “Every story reminds us that healing isn’t always easy, but it’s always possible.”