Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, the Honourable Kiz Johnson met with representatives from the UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area in a briefing before tomorrow’s launch of a landmark research study on youth mental health.

The research study, to be launched at the Precision Centre on Thursday 25 June, 2026 at 9am will be presented in a child-friendly, youth-friendly format, and having captured the voices of more than 1,000 children and young people across Antigua and Barbuda on what they want to see reflected in the Mental Health Care Bill.

Also attending today’s meeting with UNICEF was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation Sarah Stuart and Director of Social Policy Planning, Kimbalie Constant.

The consultation is one of the first in the region to see children and young people directly inform pending mental health legislation through such wide-reaching engagement.

“We know that 50 percent of mental health challenges begin under the age of 14,” Bertrand Moses, Child Protection Officer, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area said. “From the consultation, the second most recommended initiative was a chat line where young people could speak to someone confidentially about their mental health and child protection challenges. That’s what the Young Caribbean Minds Mental Health Chat Line gives them.”

The launch will be led by young people and will bring together student council representatives and youth from across the country.

Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne, and representatives of UNICEF and UWI will deliver remarks before the unveiling of the research study’s cover and a demonstration of the chat line. Minister of State Johnson will also attend the official unveiling.

The Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the voices of Antigua and Barbuda’s children and young people help shape the policies and protections built for them.