Mental health advocate and founder of WISH, Chaniel Imhoff, is calling for a more Caribbean-centered approach to mental health awareness and healing, especially among children and young people.

Imhoff made the remarks while speaking with Antigua.news on Saturday during the annual Scrub Life Cares Women and Girls Health Expo, where she highlighted the work her organization continues to do across communities and schools.

According to Imhoff, WISH is more than just a mental health advocacy group, describing the organization as a team of women and survivors who bring lived experiences into the work they do.

“We are not just mental health advocates. We are all survivors and a team made up entirely of women, so we bring very unique experiences,” she said.

Imhoff explained that much of the mental health information and advocacy commonly circulated across the region is heavily influenced by Western perspectives and often fails to reflect Caribbean realities and experiences.

“What we find is that a lot of the mental health awareness being shared is very Western and not necessarily built for a Caribbean context,” she said. “So we try to contextualize the awareness that we bring.”

A major focus of the organization’s work is early intervention among children and adolescents. Imhoff stressed that many of the emotional struggles adults face often stem from unresolved childhood experiences.

“There are a lot of things we carry into adulthood from childhood and adolescence, so we are trying to create safe spaces where those issues can be unpacked before they become bigger problems,” she explained.

As part of its outreach efforts, WISH has developed a “Be Kind to Your Mind” colouring and activity book available online, while also distributing educational posters throughout primary and secondary schools across Antigua and Barbuda.

The organization is also expanding into creative therapy initiatives through art and mural projects aimed at helping young people express themselves in healthy ways.

Their first mural project, located at the DRG, features bright, uplifting imagery designed to inspire positivity and emotional connection.

Imhoff said artistic expression can play a critical role in emotional healing and self-discovery, particularly for young people who may struggle to verbalize their feelings.

“Sometimes you don’t have the words to explain what you’re feeling, but you can put it on canvas or on paper,” she said. “Art is a real form of therapy.”

She added that throughout the remainder of 2026, WISH plans to roll out additional artistic and mental wellness projects in schools and communities across the country.

The annual Scrub Life Cares Women and Girls Health Expo brought together advocates, health professionals, educators and community organizations focused on wellness, empowerment and development for women and young girls.