Event Highlights

Through the “It’s Okay Campaign,” a joint initiative by the Taiwan Technical Mission and the Ministry of Health, we stepped into the world of nurse managers. As nurses ourselves, we noticed that—whether in Saint Kitts and Nevis or in Taiwan—the pressures and emotional challenges faced by nursing professionals are very similar.

As nurse managers, keeping a ward running smoothly requires both strategic oversight and attention to day-to-day details. From handling overwhelming paperwork, to easing tensions between patients, families, and healthcare staff, to supporting the emotional well-being of their teams—these responsibilities are constant and demanding.

Over time, the invisible “mental load backpack” on their shoulders becomes heavier, gradually filled with responsibility, self-expectations, and an endless stream of demands.

In this session, we invited participants to gently set aside their professional role and take an honest look at their current emotional state. They also practiced writing “Permission Slips,” including:

• I give myself permission to…

• I need to stop…

• I need to start…

Mrs. Valencia Smithen-Byron, a counselor from the National Counselling Centre, prepared a “Mental Health Toolbox” tailored for nursing professionals. Simple yet powerful practices—such as box breathing, stepping outside for a moment of sunlight, or taking time each night to reflect with gratitude—can help rebuild psychological resilience.

Many participants shared their willingness to begin giving themselves permission—to temporarily lay down the need to always be strong, to allow themselves to cry, and to take even just five minutes of rest during a busy shift without feeling guilty.

We are deeply grateful to every nurse manager who showed up with honesty and courage. Your openness and active participation made this session truly meaningful.

The “It’s Okay Campaign” will continue to reach different professional settings, walking alongside you as you build the strength to hold and care for yourself.

【放下沈重的情緒背包，重拾護理工作的平衡】💉

國合會技術團與克國衛生部合作推動的「It’s Okay Campaign」這次走進入護理主管的世界。同樣身為護理師的我們，發現不論是在克國或是在臺灣，護理人員面對的壓力及情緒一無二致。

身為護理主管，要讓病房穩定運作，往往得大處著眼、小處著手：既要面對堆積如山的文書工作，也要安撫家屬與患者的情緒衝突，更要成為護理同仁情緒的支撐點。

久而久之，肩上那個看不見的「壓力背包」，被責任、自我期許，以及源源不絕的需求，一點一滴地塞滿，越來越沉重。

在這次的活動中，我們邀請主管們剝開厚重的人設，誠實地看一看自己目前的心理狀態，也練習寫下「給自己的允許卡」，包括：

我允許自己…(I give myself permission to…)

我需要停止…（I need to stop…） 

我需要開始…（I need to start…）

來自國家諮商中心(National Counselling Centre)的諮商心理師Mrs. Valencia Smithen-Byron特別為大家準備了專屬護理夥伴的「心理健康工具箱」，不論是四拍呼吸法(box breathing)，或去外頭短暫曬一下陽光，或是每天睡前短暫的感謝時刻，都可以幫助自己找回心理韌性。

許多人表示願意嘗試允許自己暫時卸下強大的武裝、准許自己哭泣、准許自己在繁忙的工作中休息五分鐘，而不感到內疚。

謝謝這場活動中每一位真誠分享的護理主管，你們的積極參與，讓這個活動變得格外珍貴而有意義。

It’s Okay campaign將會持續走進各個專業場域，與你一同長出承接自己的力量。❤️

🇰🇳【𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 "𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐲" 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫】💓

The "It’s Okay Campaign" recently reached the St. Kitts and Nevis Disability Association. In a room filled with diverse stories—some participants in wheelchairs, others with white canes—the atmosphere was one of profound resilience. To ensure every participant could fully engage with Counselor’s message, dedicated partners provided real-time sign language interpretation. 

🕊️ 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧

In this session, Counselor Andrea James Wattley guided the group through the core practice: "Pause, Breathe, Truth." Under her gentle guidance, participants practiced together:

Pause: Halting the momentum of overwhelming emotions or stress to break the cycle of habit.

Breathe: Focusing on deep, conscious breaths to bring attention back to the body and steady the mind.

Truth: Honestly examining the thoughts in their heads and asking: "Is this thought actually true? Is this situation really as catastrophic as it feels right now?"

♿️ 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐍𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬: 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐲

During the sharing segment, participants demonstrated the true meaning of courage through their affirmations:

• One visually impaired participant shared: "Even though I can't see, I'm still whole."

• Another participant with mobility challenges said: "Even though I can't walk, I can still swim and ride a bike."

Mental resilience begins with embracing vulnerability and having the courage to admit, "I don't feel good right now." We are deeply grateful for the focus and trust of the Disability Association members. Our goal is to continue spreading the seeds of the "It’s Okay" campaign, bringing the concepts of mental health and self-care to all those bravely navigating adversity. 🫂💐

🇰🇳【跨越無聲與不便：攜手共築「It’s Okay」心理防護網】💓

國合會技術團與克國衛生部合作推動的「It’s Okay Campaign」這次來到克國身心障礙協會(Disability Association)。

不論是坐輪椅來的，或是手持導盲杖，講師確保大家都能參與及理解，聽障夥伴們也不落人後，身心障礙協會配有即時手語翻譯，照顧每一位參與者的需求。

🕊️暫停、呼吸、尋找真實的自己

這次活動中，諮商師Andrea James Wattley帶領大家進行練習讓自己停下：「Pause、Breathe、Truth」。在引導下，大家共同練習：

1.暫停（Pause）：在紛亂的情緒或壓力湧現時，先喊停，切斷慣性。

2.呼吸（Breathe）：專注於每一次的呼吸，將注意力拉回身體。

3.真實（Truth）：誠實地審視腦中的念頭並問自己：「這個想法是真的嗎？這件事真的像我現在感覺的這麼糟糕嗎？」

♿️勇氣不分族群，It’s Okay to be Not Okay

在分享環節，與會者們練習看見在身體限制下，自己仍是完整的：

一位視障朋友分享：「即使看不見，我依然完整無缺。」

一位行動不便的朋友分享：「即使我無法行走，我仍能游泳、騎自行車。」

感謝身心障礙協會夥伴們的熱烈參與，我們希望能將「It’s Okay」的種子散播得更遠，讓心理健康傳遞給更多在逆境中勇敢前行的人🫂💐。

To ensure that no one in the community falls through the cracks as we embark on a new year of service in 2026, the Taiwan Technical Mission and Ministry of Health - St. Kitts & Nevis hosted the "Screening Team Refresher Training" on January 27. This initiative is a critical component of the 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎 𝑬𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕, aimed at aligning our screening processes.🛡️

Led by Project Manager Ms. Ivy Shih and consultant trainer Mrs. Michele de la Coudray-Blake, the session brought together community nurses and district medical officers to refine their skills in early detection and intervention.✨

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬:

📌𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭: A comprehensive Refresher Training for our screening team to review existing workflows and introduce the Columbia–Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).

📌𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐬. 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫: Participants learned to use the new assessment tool to distinguish between non-specific suicidal thoughts and actual behaviors, enabling more precise support.

📌𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: A key takeaway was that 🗣️ how we engage matters. Asking about suicide does not encourage it; rather, the practitioner's non-judgmental attitude is what encourages a participant to open up.🤝

📌𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬-𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞: Through scenario-based role-plays, the team practiced real-world participant statements, reviewing each other's communication styles to ensure every interaction is rooted in empathy and care.

By refreshing these vital skills, we are building a more resilient mental health safety net for the entire Federation.🌱 

▎強化社區防護網：舉辦「篩檢團隊進階訓練班」 🇹🇼🇰🇳

2026的一開始，國合會技術團與克國衛生部共同舉辦「篩檢團隊進階訓練班」。社區篩檢為「#心理健康服務體系強化計畫」的關鍵項目，本次訓練由石家華計畫經理籌辦，並邀請臨床諮商專業講師Mrs. Michele de la Coudray-Blake主講，向社區醫師與護理師說明，當心情溫度計（BSRS）量表顯示壓力指數偏高，或出現自殺意念時，如何進行進一步的自殺風險評估。✨

訓練重點：

📌#培訓主題：共同檢視並優化去年的篩檢工作流程。

📌#新工具導入：介紹哥倫比亞自殺嚴重度評估量表(C-SSRS)，幫助醫護人員更精確辨識自殺「意念」與「行為」的風險程度，以提供即時且適切的支援。

📌#打破迷思： 講師強調，主動提及「自殺」並不會誘發自殺念頭；相反的，醫護人員專業且開放的態度，才是個案決定是否求助的關鍵。

📌#情境模擬演練：透過一對一的角色扮演，並事後一起討論溝通技巧，我們相信，「🗣️如何開啟對話(How we Engage)」與篩檢工具本身同樣重要。🤝

透過這次進階訓練，團隊更熟悉評估流程與工具使用，為社區心理健康守護再加一層保障。🌱

🇹🇼🇰🇳 Strengthening School Mental Health Literacy Together 💚

Last week in Nevis, the Mental Health Project in collaboration with the Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (BHWC) in Nevis, hosted the School Mental Health Literacy Training Workshop 📚.

The workshop brought together deputy principals, guidance counselors and education officers to enhance understanding and support for children and adolescents’ mental health through professional exchange and case-based discussions.

About 30 minutes into the session, an unexpected situation occurred: the classroom suddenly current gone⚠️. Air conditioning and projector stopped functioning, yet the training continued, and discussions remained lively, with participants actively asking questions and sharing experiences. The session was completed smoothly even without electricity, reflecting how dedicated the participants were. 💚 

The training focused on several common psychological and behavioral challenges seen during the school-age years. BHWC manager, Mr. Mc Millan Cuffy introduced topics including ADHD and Depressive Disorders. And followed by a session led by the counselor of Counseling Unit, Ms. Ivorcia Browne on Conduct Disorder, encouraging participants to consider the developmental and environmental factors underlying students’ behaviors.

The training also highlighted differences between how children and adults express emotions and emphasized that cultural sensitivity is essential when understanding student behavior.

During the exchange of cases and experiences, one counselor shared an experience supporting a child who was struggling with suicidal ideation, which deeply resonated with participants. As more stories were shared, a key message gradually emerged:

➡️ Behind every child’s behavior, there is an emotion. Behind every emotion, there is a story.✨

 🙋‍♀️We extend our sincere appreciation to all presenters and participants as we continue working together to strengthen support for school mental health and move toward a more understanding, inclusive, and stigma-free educational environment.

✨The Mental Health Project will continue supporting local professionals through additional training and on-site exchanges to further strengthen mental health services. 🏫💚

🌿【心理健康計畫深耕校園：School Mental Health Literacy Workshop】🏫

上週在尼島，國合會心理健康服務體系強化計畫協同克國BHWC行為健康中心，共同辦理「校園心理健康素養培訓工作坊📚」。本次課程邀請副校長、輔導老師等一同參與，透過專業交流與案例討論，暨第一次在今年三月舉辦課程後，這次課程有更多教育者回響。

沒想到課程進行半小時左右，教室突然停電了!空調燈光及投影設備完全停止運作，課程在悶熱與昏暗中持續進行；但討論的熱度絲毫未減，與會者們仍專注聆聽、踴躍提問與分享，讓課程順利完成。💚

本次訓練內容聚焦於多項學齡階段常見的心理與行為困擾，由BHWC主管也是本計畫種子教師Mc Millan Cuffy介紹注意力不足過動症、憂鬱症，隨後由諮商心理師Ivorcia Browne 主講行為規範障礙(Conduct Disorder)，引導與會者進一步思考孩子們行為表現背後可能隱含的脈絡。

課程中也比較孩童與成人在情緒表達上的差異，同時講師也提醒，在文化多元且具移民背景的聖克里斯多福及尼維斯，理解學生行為時更需具備文化敏感度。

在一個又一個案例的分享與討論中，一名輔導人員提及自己曾陪伴一名具自殺意念的孩子，觸動現場許多與會者，隨著更多故事分享，現場逐漸凝聚起一項共識：

➡️每個孩子的行為背後，都有一個情緒；而每個情緒背後，都有一段故事。✨

整場課程中，講師Cuffy持續鼓勵提問，營造安全且支持的對話空間，使與會者能坦然討論心理健康相關議題，並在交流中彼此支持與學習。感謝所有講師與參與者的投入，讓我們持續為校園心理健康建立更穩固的支持網絡，朝向更理解、更包容、且無污名的教育環境邁進。

心理健康計畫後續也將透過更多培訓與實地交流，持續陪伴克國強化心理健康服務🏫💚

TaiwanICDF財團法人國際合作發展基金會

Step by Step, Towards Recovery🌿

On November 5 Wednesday, Ambassador Edward Lin-Wen Tao and Third Secretary Ping Yu Feng attended a donation ceremony at JNF Hospital, where Ambassador Tao presented occupational therapy equipment and supplies to Mr. Curtis Martin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health - St. Kitts & Nevis.🌿

The donated items—including craft and baking supplies, an oven, washing machine, and microwave—will support patients in the psychiatric ward to rebuild daily living skills. An exercise bike and treadmill will be installed at the Day Treatment Center, promoting safe indoor physical activity as part of recovery.

This donation is facilitated by Project Manager Ms. Ivy Shih, under the "Mental Health System Enhancement Project" by the Taiwan Technical Mission of TaiwanICDF財團法人國際合作發展基金會, emphasizing that mental health care goes beyond medication to empower patients to regain independence and dignity.

📌Dr. Morton, Director of Health Institutions, said: “The new occupational therapy center allows staff to offer more diverse therapies, benefiting both caregivers and patients.”

📌Ambassador Tao added: “These donations help patients restore daily functions, self-care, and dignity. Taiwan is proud to be a reliable partner in strengthening public health.”

📌Permanent Secretary Martin noted: “This is more than a gift—it’s an investment in the dignity and recovery of our people, reflecting the long-standing friendship between Taiwan and Saint Kitts and Nevis.”

After the ceremony, participants visited the newly refurbished occupational therapy room, where colorful craft materials and baking tools await patients, marking a hopeful step toward a more active, confident life.

🌿Our heartfelt thanks to all partners and healthcare teams for helping patients take one more step on their recovery journey.

一步一步，邁向康復之路

11月5日， 陶令文大使與馮昱屏秘書參加克國JNF總醫院職能治療物資捐贈典禮，由陶大使將職能治療設備與物資遞交克國衛生部次長Curtis Martin。

這批捐贈包括手工藝與烘焙用品、烤爐、洗衣機、微波爐等，將協助精神科患者重建生活技能；室內腳踏車與跑步機將設置於日間照護中心，讓患者安全地進行室內運動，協助康復。

本次捐贈由台灣駐克國技術團「心理健康服務體系強化計畫」經理石家華推動，盼傳達心理健康治療不是只能仰賴藥物，也能幫助患者重拾尊嚴與生活能力。

JNF醫院院長Dr. Morton表示：「新的職能治療中心讓醫護團隊能提供更多元治療，患者與照護者皆受益。」

陶大使補充：「這些捐贈幫助患者恢復日常生活自理與尊嚴。台灣很榮幸成為克國公共衛生的可靠夥伴。」

衛生部次長Curtis Martin指出：「這不單是設備贈與，更是對克國人民尊嚴與身心康復的投資，展現台灣與聖克里斯多福及尼維斯長久邦誼。」

典禮後，與會者參觀新裝修的職能治療室，彩色手工藝與烘焙工具整齊擺放，患者期待參與復健活動，邁向更有活力、自信的生活。

💜感謝所有夥伴與醫療團隊，幫助每位患者在康復之路上勇敢邁進。💜

De-stigmatization Starts with Understanding and Care 💚

🇹🇼 Taiwan Technical Mission, in cooperation with the local medical community,  held the “Mental Health De-stigmatization Workshop.” A total of 26 public service professionals, including doctors, nurses, counselors, EMTs, prison officers, and gender affairs representatives, participated in discussion, hoping to bring mental health de-stigmatization into diverse public service fields across the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Mr. Curtis Martin, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health - St. Kitts & Nevis, highlighted that removing the stigma of mental illness is not only about system reform but also about compassion and care for people and society. He thanked the government of Taiwan for supporting the mental health system, noting that this partnership is a transformational investment capable of changing society. He also reminded everyone that in our busy lives, we must care for ourselves before caring for others.

The workshop was organized by Ms. Ivy Shih from the Taiwan Technical Mission, and hosted by Ms. Seana Cuffy, Nursing manager of Mental health, with Mr. McMillan Cuffy, Conselor and Manager of BHWC, as speaker. Both are project coordinators of the Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project. We thank them for their dedication and guidance.

During an ice-breaking activity, counselor Zahra led reflections: are you flourishing or struggling at work and life? Many shared challenges of lacking support and being stressed. The short activity helped participants realize they are not alone, and there are resources to set healthy boundaries.

Mental health can be a thin line between wellness and unwellness. Starting with ourselves, we can create environments where people feel safe to discuss their feelings—this is the start of de-stigmatization 💚

👉 Next workshop will focus on hospital healthcare staff. Stay tuned 🌱

#MentalHealthMatters #DeStigmatization #TaiwanICDF #MinistryofHealth

本週舉辦的「心理健康去污名化訓練班」共有 26 位聖克里斯多福及尼維斯公共服務人員參加，包括醫師、護理師、諮商師、EMT、監獄官及性別事務部門代表，讓去污名化理念走進更多公共服務領域。

克國衛生部次長 Mr. Curtis Martin 在致詞時強調，去除精神疾病的污名不只是制度改革，更是對人與社會的關懷。他感謝臺灣政府對心理健康體系的支持，指出這項合作是能改變社會的轉化性投資。他也提醒大家，現代人忙於生存而忘了生活，照顧他人前，也要學會照顧自己。 「這不只是培力，而是建立同理與慈悲，打造一個看見人、聽見人、願意陪伴人走過痛苦的系統。」

活動由國合會駐聖克里斯多福及尼維斯技術團經理石家華籌辦，心理健康照護主任Seana Cuffy主持，BHWC健康中心諮商師McMillan Cuffy主講，他們皆為「Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project」計畫協調人，感謝他們的熱情投入與精彩引導。

破冰活動中，諮商師 Zahra 帶領大家反思：在生活與工作中，你是 flourishing 還是 struggling？許多參與者分享缺乏心理支持、被壓力包圍，短短活動卻讓大家知道自己並不孤單，也有資源和方法設立健康界線。

心理健康與不健康往往只是一線之隔。從自身做起，創造能談論心理狀態、勇於表達情緒的環境，就是去污名化的起點 💚

👉 下一場將針對醫院醫護人員舉辦，敬請期待 🌱

🧠【強化社區精神健康專業｜Mental Health Professional Training Workshop】🩺

我們順利完成第一場精神健康專業人員訓練工作坊，主題聚焦在思覺失調症（Schizophrenia）。9名醫師與護理人員參與本次訓練，課程中除了臨床知識分享，也針對克國當前精神醫療的現況進行了深入討論。

👉 The goal of this training is to strengthen the capacity of local healthcare professionals in identifying and managing mental health conditions—so patients can receive timely care.

🗣️ 衛生部次長Curtis Martin於開場致詞中強調：

“Mental health is a critical national health priority and one of the four foundational pillars of overall wellness, alongside physical health, social health, and spiritual health.”

他表示這次訓練象徵政府對精神健康議題的高度重視，也是推動社區支持系統的一大步。

🎓本次課程由三位曾赴臺北榮民總醫院受訓的克國種子教師擔任講師，他們分別是：

👩‍⚕️ Sheron Morris

👨‍⚕️ Mc Millan Cuffy

👩‍⚕️ Natasha Mitchum

本次訓練同時也獲得來自臺北榮民總醫院的兩位精神科醫師Dr. Cheng, Chih-Ming及Dr. Jeng, Jia-Shyun的支援與建議。

📅 本訓練屬於三年期「心理健康服務體系強化計畫」的重要一環，目標包括：✔️ 訓練30名醫護人員✔️ 完成4項精神疾病核心課程（Schizophrenia、Anxiety、Depression、Bipolar Disorder）

💬 This is more than a workshop—it’s an investment in our national wellness.

透過持續的訓練與制度建立，我們正在一步一步打造一個更有韌性、更有支持力的社區醫療網絡。

📍下一場訓練，敬請關注！

🧠 Mental Health Is Health – May 21 Training Recap

What do you say when someone’s breaking down?

If “calm down” comes to mind—you’re not alone. But we learned there’s a better way.

On May 21, 30 frontline health workers came together for a game-changing training on mental health screening and supporting people in distress.

Led by the incredible Michele de la Coudray-Blake, former director of the National Counseling Center, the session wasn’t just about filling out forms—it was about real human connection.

✨ Avoid “calm down”

✨ Listen—really listen

✨ Read the room (verbal + non-verbal cues)

✨ Create a safe space—even through silence

One of the most memorable parts? The role-play exercises—it was not only fun but spot on to real-life situations. We could hear the laughter as the trainees realized just how easily the phrase “calm down” can slip out, and how different approaches can change the conversation.

We also got insights from Noveilia Rawlins-Nwosu and Vera Edwards from the Health Promotion Unit on guiding participants through the screening process with empathy and cultural sensitivity.

💡 Why does this matter? Because mental health is part of holistic health. And without the leadership and strong support from the Ministry of Health, this work wouldn’t go anywhere. Their commitment is helping shift the culture—making it okay to talk about emotions, stress, and support.

This effort is made possible through collaboration with:

🇰🇳 Ministry of Health - St. Kitts & Nevis

🇹🇼 TaiwanICDF財團法人國際合作發展基金會

🤝 National Counseling Center

🏥 臺北榮民總醫院 Taipei Veterans General Hospital

Together, we’re building a system where no one faces emotional struggles alone.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s normalize it.

🧠 心理健康就是健康——5月21日訓練回顧

「有人情緒崩潰時，你會說什麼？」

如果你會說「冷靜一點」，你並不孤單——但我們學到，其實有更好的方式。

5月21日，30位第一線健康工作者齊聚一堂，參加一場改變觀念的心理健康訓練，由前國家諮商中心主任 Michele de la Coudray-Blake 帶領。我們學的不只是表格填寫，更是「人與人之間的連結」。

讓我們繼續對話，讓心理健康成為日常的一部分。💬

🌏 Taiwan & St. Kitts and Nevis: Growing Stronger Together

Meet our three dedicated seed instructors — Sheron Morris, Natasha Mitchum, and Mc Millan Cuffy — currently in Taiwan for a 5-week mental health training!

They’re gaining hands-on experience at top institutions: Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) 臺北榮民總醫院, Yuli Branch #臺北榮民總醫院玉里分院, and Taipei City Hospital SongDe Branch #臺北市立聯合醫院松德院區.

Now in their second week, they’re diving deep into mental health diagnosis and care — knowledge they’ll bring home to strengthen our healthcare system.

And yes — they just had their first try using chopsticks!🥢新體驗, new adventures every day!

Let’s cheer them on as they continue this powerful journey! 一起加油💪

🌍✨ 聖克里斯多福及尼維斯心理健康服務體系強化計畫啟動共識會議，凝聚利害關係人共識

今天，我們迎來了意義非凡的一刻！

本年9月啟動的「心理健康服務體系強化計畫」於今日(11月27日)順利舉行計畫啟動共識會議，在這場會議中，克國衛生部、教育部等各部門均派利害關係人與會。

克國總理兼衛生部長Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew親臨致詞，他指出：「我們必須加速強化心理健康服務，本計畫將成為催化劑，協助我們實現這個重要的里程碑。」

克島衛生部次長Mr. Curtis Martin表示：「台北榮民總醫院是世界級的醫院，他們有最頂尖的知識及技術，在他們的支持下，這個計畫將事半功倍。」

尼島衛生部次長Mrs. Shelisa Martin-Clarke也強調：「本計畫在人員能力建構上的投入，將確保心理健康工作者能提供符合國際標準的高品質服務。」

國際合作發展基金會(TaiwanICDF)石家華計畫經理（Ivy Shih）詳細介紹了接下來三年的計畫內容，並在克、尼兩島間達成共識；另為確保計畫能惠及校園學生群體，會議特別邀請了教育部官員及校園諮商師與會，與來自兩島的專業心理健康人員共同交流。

接下來三年，我們期盼透過專業人員能力建構、提高民眾的心理健康意識及跨部門合作，為克國人民建立一個健全的心理健康體系，守護每個人的心理健康。

🌍✨ Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project Kicks Off in St. Kitts and Nevis!

Today marks a significant milestone! The kickoff meeting for the Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project was successfully held on November 27.

The Prime Minister, who also serves as the Minister of Health, Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew emphasized, "We must accelerate progress in strengthening our mental health services. This project will help us fast track progress and achieve these significant milestones."

The St. Kitts PS for Health, Mr. Curtis Martin remarked, "Taipei Veterans General Hospital is a world-class hospital with the best technology and expertise. With their support, this project will be a big success." The Nevis PS, Mrs. Shelisa Martin-Clarke for Health mentioned, "The project emphases capacity building through specialized training and professional development program. This approach ensures our mental health staff are equipped to deliver care with global best practice."

To ensure that the program benefits school students, the meeting extended a special invitation to officials from the Ministry of Education and school counselors to participate and exchange ideas with professional mental health personnel from both islands. Ivy Shih, the project manager from the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), provided a detailed overview of the program's content for the next three years, achieving a consensus between Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Over the next three years, we look forward to enhancing healthcare professional capabilities, raising the community awareness of mental health, and fostering inter-sector collaboration to safeguard the mental health of St. Kitts and Nevis.