The Taiwan Technical Mission of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Saint Kitts and Nevis and the local medical community, held the “Mental Health De-stigmatization Workshop” in mid-October. A total of 26 public service professionals, including doctors, nurses, counselors, EMTs, prison officers, and gender affairs representatives, participated in the event to explore ways of integrating de-stigmatization into public service systems across the Federation.
Mr. Curtis Martin, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, emphasized in his remarks that removing the stigma surrounding mental illness requires not only institutional reform but also compassion and care for individuals and society. He thanked Taiwan for its continuous support to the Federation’s mental health system, calling the cooperation “a transformational investment capable of changing society.” He also reminded participants that self-care is the foundation of caring for others.
The workshop was organized by Ms. Ivy Shih, Project Manager of the Taiwan Technical Mission, and co-hosted by Ms. Seana Cuffy, Nursing Manager for Mental Health, and Mr. McMillan Cuffy, Counselor and Manager of the Behavioral Health Wellness Center, both coordinators of the Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project.
Through guided discussions and reflective activities, participants shared their experiences with workplace stress and the importance of building supportive environments. The workshop underscored that mental health awareness begins with understanding and empathy—creating spaces where people feel safe to speak is the true start of de-stigmatization.
