ROTARACT CLUB OF ANTIGUA

Tuesday 26th October (St John’s, Antigua) … The 2021 theme for World Mental Health Day was 'Mental Health in an Unequal World'. Recognizing the challenges faced worldwide, and in Antigua and Barbuda, this year, during the month of October, the Rotaract Club of Antigua and Barbuda observed Mental Health with several initiatives to increase awareness.

In keeping with Mental Health Awareness Month, the Rotaract Club of Antigua’s community service committee, under the directorship of Dr. Namadi Belle, launched a Mental Health Webinar series, themed, ‘What’s on Your Mind?’. This webinar comprised of four sessions, each led by a dynamic group of professionals namely, Dr. Sonya L. Ford, Director of the University Counseling Center at the American University of America; Ms. Sequoyah Survia, Clinical Social Worker at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre; Ms. Alaina Gomes, Counseling Psychologist; and Mr. Sydney Retemyer.

While the Mental Health webinar series was deemed a success, the club also launched a Mental Health Food Drive during the month, in which all of proceeds collected were donated to the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital.

The food drive was a joint initiative of the club’s community service and international service committees. President of the Rotaract Club of Antigua, Ms. Ashlee Christian alongside the club’s Director of International Service, Mr. Yhan Robert and Director of Community Service, Dr. Namadi Belle, made the donation on Saturday 23rd October to Ms. Candice Roberts, Head Superintendent at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital. Special mention must also be made to Psychiatry Interest Group at the American University of Antigua, who joined the club’s efforts, and provided a generous donation towards the food drive. Mr. Matthew Hunt, the group’s representative was also in attendance at the presentation.

Ms. Roberts thanked the club on behalf of the management, staff, and patients of the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, for the timely donation.
In her remarks, President Ashlee expressed her profound gratitude to the hospital, for allowing the club to assist in providing some of the basic needs, and hoped that it made a difference. She added that this donation will not be last, as the club wishes to continue the partnership in service with the hospital. She concluded by thanking the public and the American University of Antigua, for their assistance in making the donation possible.