Biography

Ms. Bodden is a lecturer at the University College of the Cayman Islands and is completing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a post-doctoral Master’s in Clinical Psychopharmacology at Nova Southeastern University. She currently holds an Associate’s degree in Social Studies from UCCI, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Virginia and Master’s degrees in General Psychology from New York University and Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Ms. Bodden has been working as a therapist for the past few years in South Florida, working primarily with persons who are homeless and abuse survivors, and has recently returned to Cayman after completing the coursework for her degree. She has been a part of research teams working in clinical and social psychology and has given paper and poster presentations on various topics including domestic violence, homelessness, suicide, children in foster care and the role of 12-step groups in substance abuse recovery. Additionally, she has co-facilitated workshops on mental illness and cognitive development in homeless youth.

Colleen Brown is currently pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at La Salle University, focusing on child psychology with an emphasis on trauma and autism spectrum disorders. Colleen received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Pennsylvania State University, and a Masters of Arts degree from New York University in General Psychology.

Article Title

The Many Faces of Mental Health in the Cayman Islands: Past, Present and Future

Abstract

Although a universal phenomenon, mental illness has long been misunderstood and the persons that suffer from it feared and rejected by society. Many of these beliefs are still held throughout the Cayman Islands and much of the Caribbean region. However, there have been many initiatives in Cayman, as well as other Caribbean countries, to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues, the services that are provided and awareness and accessibility of such services. This paper seeks to examine the evolution of the field of mental health in the Cayman Islands including the changes in attitudes, beliefs and services throughout the country.

This paper will review the development of services provided in mental health and related fields including the educational and criminal justice systems. The past few decades have seen an increase in the type and amount of mental health services provided as well as greater integration of mental health professionals into related fields. Furthermore, other community agencies have also made many steps towards increasing awareness, empathy and understanding for persons who experience mental illness and there appears to be a greater acceptance and utilization of rehabilitation and treatment programs both on and off island. Such advances are hypothesized to reflect a change in attitudes and belief systems of service providers, community agencies and the Caymanian society as a whole. These changes will be explored as to how they arose and have been implemented within the Caymanian context and the interplay of the Caymanian culture with the influence of immigration and advances in mental health in surrounding countries. Ideas for future movements within this field will also be discussed.

Article Title

An Examination of Mental Health Treatment in the Caribbean: Current State of Treatment and Future Directions

Abstract

Throughout the world, various cultures are beginning to understand the sizeable impacts of sufficient mental health services on their populations and people. Mental health services can be extremely beneficial to populations, minimizing other areas of concern for cultures such as crime, substance abuse, and homelessness. In looking at the Caribbean, mental health services are in various stages of development and implementation based on the country or territory considered. For example, Jamaica is currently decentralizing their mental health system in hopes of providing more far-reaching effects for its people. The present paper will seek to assess current mental health services in the Caribbean, focusing on but not limited to the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Martinique, and Barbados. The present paper will also seek to examine barriers to mental health treatment in the Caribbean, with a focus on differences in barriers determined by level of independence of the countries discussed. For example, while Jamaica seeks to organize and develop its mental health system independently, the British Virgin Islands seek to modify the British mental health system to fit their needs, which can be largely different than the needs of British citizens.

Additionally, the present paper will examine current trends worldwide in the areas of mental health, including the recent shift of mental health treatment occurring in a preventative manner rather than a reactive measure, including mental health techniques such as mindfulness based therapies. Implications of these trends for Caribbean countries and territories will be discussed. Additionally, future directions for mental health treatment and policies in the Caribbean will be suggested to ensure a bright future for the Caribbean in the area of mental health treatment.