Eight-year-old Hope Academy student Kaydence Whitney is the winner of the Mental Health Commission’s logo competition. Kaydence was one of ten students who submitted images for the competition.

As a young girl recently diagnosed with Asperger’s, she feels impassioned to help others who have experienced similar social difficulties and peer rejection. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Asperger syndrome (AS) as one of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) characterized by irregularities in social interaction and communication that pervade an individual’s functioning.

Selecting the winning design was based on adherence to the Commission’s mission and advocacy goals. Kaydence’s personal story brings significance to the Commission’s identity by using her symbolism to help fight the stigma around mental illness. Announcing Kaydence’s win on 6 November 2014, the Commission presented her with an iPad mini that was co-sponsored by Tony Cleaver of Cayman MAC Store, Behavioural Health Associates Cayman (BHAC), and The Wellness Centre.

Describing her design, Kaydence says the logo represents, “all the people who have something different with their brains and how they feel because of it.” The tear drop shapes with words written on them represent the experiences and feelings of a person who has mental illness.

At the bottom a person with open arms symbolises the Mental Health Commission. “The person is welcoming everyone, no matter what makes them different, because they give people hope,” explains Kaydence. The logo is currently undergoing production and a final copy will be revealed within the next month. Kaydence and her family thanked the Commission for its contribution towards her personal and educational development.

Photo caption(s): photo submitted

1. Kaydence Whitney (centre) accepts iPad from members of the Cayman Islands Mental Health Commission and Tony Cleaver of Cayman MAC Store.
2. Drawing of draft Mental Health Commission logo.