Today I talk to you in the context of recently published statistics surrounding mental health that are directly impacting the Cayman Islands, and beyond, with recently published statistics relating to mental health also published in the US and in the UK. 2021 witnessed a 72% increase on 2020 in the number of people who attempted to take their own lives in the Cayman Islands.  Similarly worrying figures have come out of the US and the UK. In the US, 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year. 1 in 20 US adults experience serious mental illness each year. 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14. 75% of lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 24. Meanwhile, almost 7,000 people in the Cayman Islands were diagnosed with anxiety or depression in 2021, which equates to almost 10% of the entire population of the islands. I discuss what we can all do as a community to reduce these numbers, including: Educating ourselves and our kids to identify the signs and symptoms of mental illness or of there being a mental health issue, either in ourselves, or someone else. Participating in or volunteering at events in the community that work towards raising awareness around mental health, or creating an event of our own to raise funds for a local mental health charity. Teaching school aged people about the importance of caring for their mental health.I discuss accounts of some of the most common mental illnesses, including post-partum depression, anxiety and depression. I also give an account of my personal experience of suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), further to being in the British Virgin Islands in 2017 when Hurricane Irma made landfall. I explore what employers and health insurance companies can do to protect and maintain the mental health of the workforce. I discuss productivity and how countries such as The Netherlands, which has some of the most robust and comprehensive legislation protecting workers’ mental health, also has one of the highest productivity rates of the OECD countries. Finally, I talk about some of the things that we can do ourselves to reduce our stress levels, thereby protecting our own mental health.  Online resources:Infinite Mindcare, Cayman Islands: https://www.infinitemindcare.comAlex Panton Foundation, Cayman Islands: https://alexpantonfoundation.kyLoud Silent Voices, Cayman Islands: http://www.lsv.supportCayman Compass: https://www.caymancompass.comThe Guardian, Child referrals for mental health care in England up 39% in a year: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/03/child-referrals-for-mental-health-care-in-england-up-39-in-a-yearCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Suicide Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.htmlPartnership Development Group: https://www.pdgrehab.com/mental-health-statistics-2022/Mayo Clinic, Mental Illness: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968Facebook: @Juggling the Jenkins – Tiffany Jenkins Mayo Clinic, Depression (major depressive disorder): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007National Alliance on Mental Illness, My Depression In My Life: https://www.nami.org/Personal-Stories/My-Depression-in-My-LifeCleveland Clinic, Anxiety Disorders: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9536-anxiety-disordersWorld Health Organisation: Mental health at work: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-workSean Peek, Business Insider, Stress and Productivity: What the Numbers Say: https://www.business.com/articles/stress-and-productivity-what-the-numbers-say/The American Institute of Stress, Workplace Stress: https://www.stress.org/workplace-stressOutback Team Building & Training, 14 Mental Health Awareness Month Activities for Employees: https://www.outbackteambuilding.com/blog/mental-health-awareness-month-activities/Mauve Group, Which countries mandate workplace mental health policies?: https://mauvegroup.com/blog/which-countries-mandate-workplace-mental-health-policiesLinkedIn, The 10 Countries with the Highest Productivity in 2022: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-countries-highest-productivity-2022-workstatus/?trk=pulse-article_more-articles_related-content-cardThe Canadian Mental Health Association: The Relationship between Mental Health, Mental Illness and Chronic Physical Conditions: https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/the-relationship-between-mental-health-mental-illness-and-chronic-physical-conditions/Heart.org, How Does Depression Affect the Heart?: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/how-does-depression-affect-the-heart#:~:text=Can%20depression%20cause%20heart%20disease,can%20lead%20to%20heart%20diseaseHarvard Medical School, Protect your brain from stress: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/protect-your-brain-from-stressYouTube, Tom Bilyeu interview with Sadhguru, Stop Wasting Your Life and Unlock Your Potential: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw1I7fqmxmAAthena Care, 5 Tips to Calm Anxiety. Right Now: https://www.athenacare.health/5-tips-to-calm-anxiety-right-now/ Book:Dr. Gabor Maté, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture  Note:Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional.  Contact: Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: [email protected]   

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