Visitors and patients of the Cayman Islands Hospital were given a reminder to be hopeful by the Alex Panton Foundation’s Youth Ambassador programme earlier this month as a part of the HSA’s “Be Kind For Your Mind – Mental Health Through Service” initiative. Students from five local high schools and home school programmes proposed the idea to create a mural to encourage patients and visitors who may be experiencing mental health challenges. The six-foot mural displays several inspirational quotes to form the word “hope”.

“We chose to highlight acts of service and the importance of community organisations to the mental health standards here in the Cayman Islands for our World Mental Health Day activities this year. The synchronicity of the Youth Ambassador Project with the HSA’s goal to promote mental health awareness through service made partnership a very easy choice”, said HSA Occupational Therapist and initiative coordinator Kenneth Figueira.

The students met after school for almost three weeks to complete the project under the guidance of Cayman International School teacher Mr. Bill Lamonte. The APF Youth Ambassadors are Isabela Watler, Amber Ebanks, Isaiah Smith-Bodden, Yolieddy Cis-Paredes, April Ebanks, Eldora Ch’ng, Monina Thompson, Soleil Parkinson, Finn Gray, Yulande Waugh, Geneve Magnan, Natalie Sims and Sadie Finch.

The mural will remain displayed throughout various locations at the Cayman Islands Hospital until being permanently displayed in the planned Adolescent Mental Health Hub. “I am truly inspired by the APF Youth Ambassadors for volunteering their time to create an emblem of hope for the visitors to our facility,” said Mr. Figueira.

Persons experiencing mental health challenges are encouraged to call the Mental Health Helpline 1-800-534-MIND (6463) or contact the HSA Behavioural Health Department 244-2650. For more information on the Youth Ambassador Programme, email [email protected]