See images as follows:
‘IvetteQuintanillaTeam’—Mental Health Coordinator Ivette Quintanilla at the center and teams at the Ministry of Health posing for a photo on World Mental Health Day in Belmopan
‘PNP1’—L-R: Psychiatric nurse practitioner Velly Torres; Superintendent of Police Ms. Mclaughin, and psychiatric nurse practitioner Becky Tillett
‘CayoWelcomeCenter’—The San Ignacio Community Hospital observed World Mental Health Day at the Cayo Welcome Center last Friday.
By Orlando Pulido
(Freelance Writer)
SANTA ELENA TOWN, Cayo District, Mon. Oct. 13, 2025
Belize joined the global community in observing World Mental Health Day on October 10, a day recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health as part of an effort to raise awareness of mental health challenges and support mental health initiatives. This year’s theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” deeply resonated throughout the country.
As part of World Mental Health Day, the Mental Health Department in San Ignacio held a fair at the Cayo Welcome Center on October 10. A team of community health workers from the Ministry of Health was on hand to gauge blood pressure and sugar levels, body mass index, and other health parameters. Nurse Rosita Figueroa was also on standby to give the seasonal flu shot.
Meanwhile, in northern Belize, the Northern Regional Hospital’s (NRH) Mental Health Department conducted its third set of mental health training sessions with police officers from the Orange Walk police formation. A release from the NRH makes clear that such training is essential for improving their response to individuals experiencing mental or emotional crises in our community. It equipped the police officers who participated with the knowledge and skills to recognize such crises, assess the situation, and adequately respond to persons experiencing mental health issues. The training also emphasized the importance of de-escalation techniques to ensure safety during encounters with individuals in crisis.
According to the World Health Organization, a mental disorder is characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior. It is usually associated with distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. There are many different types of mental disorders. One of those is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which is characterized by inattentiveness and impulsiveness.
In 2021, nearly 1 in every 7 people (1.1 billion) around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common.
Reflecting on the theme, Ivette Quintanilla, Mental Health Coordinator within Belize’s Mental Health Unit, said: “We have been experiencing a high number of traffic accidents. We hear the violence in Belize City; all of this is traumatic to people.”
Dr. Michael Medina, a mental health consultant practicing in Belize, described trauma as being “everywhere.”
“Schools … teachers reinforcing trauma … in families … we are abusing children … just repeating what [they] did to them,” he writes.
In recognition of the day, the First Lady of Belize, Her Excellency Rossana Briceño, posted, “In times of crisis such as natural disasters, pandemics, or personal emergencies, the toll it takes on someone emotionally and psychologically can be as severe as physical pain. However, mental health support is often disregarded or inaccessible when it is needed the most. Therefore, the theme this year … highlights the importance of accessible, inclusive, and prioritized mental services in every emergency response.”
The Rotary Club of San Ignacio also posted that, “We believe that caring for our community starts with caring for ourselves and each other. Let’s take today to remind ourselves that mental health matters every day. Check in on your friends, take a pause when you need it, and remember: asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Together, we can build a community where compassion, understanding, and support are always within reach.”
The World Mental Health Day activities were more than a symbolic gesture—they were a collective affirmation that mental health matters every day. From health fairs to police training, from green-worn attire to national statements, the country demonstrated a growing commitment to compassion, access, and healing.
