On Saturday 19th February, the Alex Panton Foundation held is 5th Annual Youth Mental Health Symposium at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. 

This year’s theme was “Thriving in Uncertain Times”, and throughout each presentation, the theme remained present. During these difficult times, the importance of mental health cannot be overlooked.

Due to Covid-19 regulations and restrictions, there was a limit on the total number of in-persons guests, however, the event was live streamed from our Facebook page as well as on YouTube via Cayman Life TV and can still be streamed today, for those who missed it.

We had a fantastic schedule including a youth panel discussion, an LGTBQ data presentation, inclusion speeches and conversations with Boyz2Men, a local organization devoted to helping young men in Cayman live better lives.

There were a number of touching, tearful moments, but perhaps one of het most powerful and historic moments was when Co-Founder and now Premier Wayne Panton declared that he would invite the Youth Ambassadors to attend caucus to discuss the issues that the youth are currently facing in Cayman.

We are so proud and honoured to have witnessed this moment, but are also proud of our youth who spoke so eloquently and maturely about the many difficulties they have been facing, particularly in the past two years during the pandemic.

During the event we also announced more up-and-coming projects in the pipeline such as our Mental Health Hub at HSA and our Mental Health Hotline. 

We would like to thank each speaker and panelist, His Excellency Martyn Roper, OBE, Governor of the Cayman Islands, Hon Sabrina Turner, MP, Minister of Health and Wellness and Hon Andre Ebanks, JP, MP, Minister of Investment, Innovation and Social Development. 

Special thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors, some of whom had physical booths at the event, while others held a section on our website that can be viewed here. 

For those who attended the event, or watched it live, and require their CME, you can download and complete it here. 

Most importantly, we’d like to thank YOU, Cayman. Without the support of those who watched online or attended physically, we would not be where we are today. We are so excited for what we are building together. Thank you for continuing to support the Alex Panton Foundation.