Mental Health Commission and Poinciana Advisory Council to host community meeting

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) and the Poinciana Mental Health Advisory Council (PMHAC) will hold a public meeting on 13 November, with the Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks in attendance.

The event will give residents an opportunity to hear directly from the Commission and the Council about ongoing work to strengthen the mental health system and the work now underway to strengthen it.

Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, said: “Mental health is an essential part of our national wellbeing, as it impacts our families, workplaces, and the strength of our communities. The NCFC Government is committed to building an equitable mental health system that is compassionate and sustainable, by strengthening our services. This community meeting is of vital importance as this provides a platform to all living on island to hear the government’s approach on addressing mental health. The Ministry's policy makers and I are able to listen to the voices of those with lived experiences, which are key to strengthening the mental health system in the Cayman Islands.”

Ms. Tamara Ebanks, Chief Officer for Health, Environment and Sustainability, said: “Part of our role as a Ministry is to ensure that our policy framework and partnerships support the ongoing strengthening of the mental health system. We are committed to providing an environment in which oversight bodies, service providers and the community can work together to deliver care that is safe and sustainable. Collaboration is how we translate national policy into meaningful outcomes for everyone.”

The MHC’s priorities for the next few years paint a picture of both urgency and opportunity, building infrastructure to meet the needs of an ageing and changing population, ensuring equitable access to affordable treatment, closing longstanding care gaps, and improving coordination and training across sectors.

For PMHAC, a new advisory body focused on oversight and accountability at Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre, the goal is to ensure that policy and practice remain anchored in humanity and community voice.

Fiona McDougall, Chair of the Cayman Islands Mental Health Commission, notes that: “Mental health care works best when it is built with the people it serves. On 13 November, alongside the PMHAC and our partners, we look forward to hearing residents’ priorities and ideas. The Commission supports strengthening access and affordability, enhancing coordination and training across services, and working closely with partners to ensure community voices inform care across the landscape of mental health services in the Cayman Islands."

The meeting will include short presentations by the MHC and PMHAC leadership, followed by a discussion and opportunities for the public to ask questions. Residents are encouraged to attend and share their perspectives on how Cayman can continue to build a resilient system that is compassionate and accessible to all who are in need of it.

"The Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre (PRC) is a beacon of hope and renewal, empowering individuals with mental illness, dual diagnosis, and neurocognitive disorders through psychosocial rehabilitation, education, and skill development,” said the Chairman for the Poinciana Mental Health Advisory Council, Dr. Marc Lockhart. “In partnership with NGOs and community groups, PRC fosters inclusion, purpose, and opportunity, transforming lives and strengthening our community through compassion and collaboration.  The members of the Poinciana Mental Health Advisory Council are excited to meet with the public alongside the Mental Health Commission to listen, share and discuss a fresh vision for development of our mental health system in the Cayman Islands."

The public meeting will be held on 13 November 2025 at 6:30pm, in Constitution Hall, George Town. Attendance is free and open to all, and refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the Mental Health Commission on mhc@gov.ky