Recognizing Mental Health as a Universal Human Right
October 10th is globally recognized as World Mental Health Day, and Rotary District 7030 proudly aligns with the global theme: "Mental health is a universal human right." Within the Caribbean community, mental health disorders stand as the 5th major non-communicable disease, affecting numerous lives and posing significant challenges. District 7030 therefore echoes the World Health Organization's timeless wisdom from 1948, and firmly believes that health encompasses complete physical, mental, emotional and social well-being..
District Governor Brian Glasgow stands united with Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally in emphasizing mental health as a paramount priority for Rotarians. Consequently, District 7030 is launching its Mental Health Program —a bold initiative aimed at creating hope in the world by addressing mental health issues within Caribbean communities.
District 7030 Mental Health Program and Coordinating Committee
In line with Rotary International's 2023-2024 Presidential Theme, "Create Hope in the World," District Governor Brian has taken a pioneering step by establishing a District 7030 Mental Health Programme. This program will be coordinated by a committee of Mental Health Champions, drawn from across the region and chaired by Dr. Alisa Alvis.
Current representatives and their countries are as follows:
- Simone Allen - St. Vincent
- Christina Bissoon - Guyana
- René Cirille - Martinique
- Dr. Maja Heijmans-Goedschalk - Suriname
- Crystal Mohammed - Trinidad & Tobago
- Dr. Kenneth Niles - Trinidad & Tobago
- Maria Divina O’Brien - Trinidad & Tobago
- Dr. Ken Onu - St. Vincent
- Varsha Ramautar - Suriname
- Yan Reichlen de Meldegg - Guadeloupe
- Tanya Western - Trinidad & Tobago
As a community of practice, this committee will serve as a conduit for mental health champions, advocating for the needs and challenges within their communities. Aligning with Rotary’s existing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, the Mental Health Coordinating Committee will work to integrate mental health initiatives into our community fabric.
Rotary Responds: A Call to Action
District 7030 believes in the immense power of collective action where Rotarians understand the profound impact communities can make when addressing critical issues. The collective mental health and wellness of members and communities, safeguarding of the vulnerable, accessible treatment options, and the creation of safe, diverse, and inclusive spaces are essential responsibilities now etched into Rotary’s agenda.
To facilitate communication and awareness, quarterly digests and updates shall be published on our district website. These updates will spotlight mental health initiatives, upcoming observances, and training opportunities. All Rotary and Rotaract members are encouraged to actively participate in these initiatives, ensuring that mental health remains a focal point of all clubs and the shared strength of our entire district is leveraged to create a world where mental health is recognized as a fundamental human right.
Current and Upcoming Initiatives
Suicide Prevention - Youth Gatekeepers Declaration 2023-25
Invitation to Join the Youth Gatekeepers Declaration for Suicide Prevention for District 7030 and the Caribbean - 7030 Rotaract and Rotary Clubs
All Rotary and Rotaract clubs and respective committees that work with youth and adolescents are invited to be part of Youth Gatekeeper Declaration for Suicide Prevention, where Mindwise Project and the extraordinary youth leadership of Rotaract 7030 and other regional youth organizations, will come together to collaborate on a regional commitment to meaningfully include Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Resilience into club activities between 2023 and 2025.
This agreement, commitment document will be the first of its kind in the region, and the power of the network of Rotary is the inspiration behind it. This Declaration will be managed and guided by Mindwise Project, a mental health non profit based in Trinidad and Tobago, together with founding partners UWI, Google Women Techmakers, the Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain.
District 7030 would like to exhort clubs to participate in this as part of Rotary’s vested interest in the health and wellbeing of young people and to visibly commit by signing onto the Declaration and participating and contributing to the final action plan it will represent.
The Draft Declaration
Some proposed Commitments by Youth Leaders and Rotaract in the Draft Declaration include:
- The nomination of a club or organization representative or leader to champion the commitments made and represent the group in regional meetings, as well as, support and monitor challenges and needs as they emerge at those checkpoints.
- A commitment to achieve majority membership Certification in Psychological First Aid - a self paced and certificate-based course provided by PAHO-WHO Virtual Campus -
- A commitment to attend Suicide Gatekeeper Training that will be provided to District 7030 over a three year period so as to increase accessibility and available options to members.
- The nomination of both a DEI and a Mental Health Champion or Officer in the leadership of the respective club or organization
The consultations for this Youth Gatekeeper Declaration for Suicide Prevention will start this October virtually through collaborative document-sharing, and through key youth-led virtual meetings, where critical discussions, information and lived experience will be shared, thus, creating a safe space for the sustainable empowerment of our regional adolescents and youth and fostering wellness and resilience in crisis amongthemselves and those around them.
REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE
If your Rotary or Rotaract club would like to be a part of this regional action for suicide prevention as well as participate in the upcoming consultations fill out the form at the following link:
REGISTRATION LINK:https://bit.ly/youthgatekeepers
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION : OCTOBER 30TH 2023
Learn more about this Initiative at www.preventsuicidett.com or www.mindwisett.org
If you have questions please email mindwisett@gmail.com or rccpos.secretary@gmail.com
District 7030 ReThink Program
As part of our commitment to youth mental health, District 7030 has partnered with ReThink | ReThink Citizens, founded by the inspiring Trisha Prabhu, to offer a multi-faceted digital wellness program. ReThink was designed to address the pressing issue of cyberbullying among young people, with nearly 50% experiencing its harmful effects.
ReThink offers a free app designed to empower youth, enabling them to pause, reconsider, and rethink their online interactions, thereby promoting a safer digital environment. Additionally, the District 7030 ReThink program includes an extensive digital wellness curriculum comprising 18 targeted lessons for primary and secondary level students. This comprehensive resource not only imparts essential digital literacy skills but also educates young individuals on the complexities of digital challenges, such as cyberbullying, enabling them to recognize, prevent, and respond effectively in real-time. Rotary and Rotaract clubs in District 7030 are encouraged to engage with the ReThink program, becoming advocates for this invaluable digital wellness curriculum among young persons within Caribbean schools and other youth-based groups in our communities.
A club can also use this opportunity to meet its goal for a project under one or more of Rotary's priorities such as Youth Service, Community Service, Peace-Building, Education, Mental Health, and/or Girls' Empowerment.
For more information on the District 7030 ReThink Program, visit: https://go.rotarydistrict7030.org/ReThink
There, you will find guidelines on the program, the curriculum, potential target youth groups, and club responsibilities, as well as links to the program application form.
Applications for clubs to participate in the program are now open. While there are no set start or end dates for the program, clubs are encouraged to take advantage of the program at the earliest convenience.
Please submit any questions or concerns regarding the program or your club's participation to: admin@rotarydistrict7030.org.
Closing Exhortation: Together, Let's Create Hope in the World
In closing, we extend a resounding call to action to all Rotary and Rotaract clubs within the region to embrace the spirit of creating hope in the world by actively engaging with the District 7030 Mental Health Program. By championing mental health as a universal human right, not only are lives improved, but communities are also transformed. Together, members and clubs are called upon to create a world where mental health knows no stigma and is universally recognized and respected. Join District 7030 in this noble endeavor, and let the collective efforts of our Rotary family echo the essence of this year's Presidential theme: Creating Hope In The World.