On Saturday 17^th August, Kadejah Bodden was crowned Miss Cayman Islands Universe 2019. First runner up was Mariah Tibbetts and 2nd runner up was Mahalia Seymour. The Alex Panton Foundation had been chosen as the platform to raise awareness about mental illness such as anxiety and depression in youth in the Cayman Islands. Throughout the past few months, the contestants had been working closely with the foundation to support the chosen platform. Chairperson Jane Panton, founder of APF and Alex’s mother, spoke on Saturday evening about the foundation, its goals and some of the upcoming programmes to look forward too.

Those programmes include:

• The Youth Ambassador Programme
• Young Men at Risk Workshop
• Zippy & Friends and Apple & Friends programmes
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  The Youth Ambassador Programme

This programme which commences on Saturday 31^st August at the Black Pearl Skate Park is an ongoing programme designed to challenge adolescents, 12-16, and promote interpersonal and life skills and inspire friendships. Participants will advance through the programme and earn badges at each stage by completing assigned tasks such as mental health knowledge quizzes, communication activities, games that promote tolerance and courage.

For more information or to sign up, please visit https://alexpantonfoundation.ky/yap/

Young Men at Risk Workshop

We are so proud of the turn out for the ongoing workshop Young Men at Risk, aimed at discussing the truth about mental health in men, suicides rates in men and behaviours to look for. The workshop will explore: how emotional distress is communicated in young men, challenging and risk behaviours displayed by young men, warning signs to look for and help-seeking. The event is free to attend. Please contact edu@alexpantonfoundation.ky with any questions you may have regarding this workshop.

Zippy & Friends and Apple & Friends

The Alex Panton Foundation in partnership with Partnership for Children a UK based non profit organization is pleased to offer a school based programme for children to help them develop skills to communicate effectively, cope with anxieties. There is also an adapted SEND programme for children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.

Children develop their own positive strategies to deal with problems through engaging activities: listening to stories, discussion, games, role-play and drawing.

It is vital to have this programme implemented in as many schools on island as possible. If you are a parent, talk to your child’s teachers and school about how they can incorporate this social, emotional wellbeing programme in your school.

For more information on this programme, please contact edu@alexpantonfoundation.ky