The Alex Panton Foundation (“APF”) announces its 5th Annual Youth Mental Health Symposium to take place on Saturday 19 February 2022, from 10 am to 4 pm. Due to COVID-19 suppression measures, the in-person attendance for this year’s symposium will be restricted to 100 people and is by invitation only. The event will be available to everyone, streaming live via APF’s Facebook Page.

This year’s theme, “Thriving in Uncertain Times”, is a topic that will resonate with many following the challenges over the last few years and aims to offer solutions to those still struggling in various ways due to the pandemic. The symposium offers a platform to connect young people and their families with the practitioners, researchers, and policymakers committed to creating lasting change across the youth mental health sector. 

Jane Panton, Chairperson and Co-Founder of APF said: “We have all faced unprecedented challenges over the past year, and as a mental health organisation, we acknowledge the effects the pandemic has had on our youth. Community transmission of COVID-19 across our Islands has brought with it disruption to education and a return of social isolation. There are many struggling with the emotional barriers that are fostered by social isolation. Global, political, and social movements have exacerbated feelings of uncertainty. We must continue to work together to prepare the youth of the Cayman Islands by providing them and their families, teachers, mentors, and the wider community with resources to not only succeed but to thrive in these uncertain times.”

His Excellency Mr. Martyn Keith Roper, OBE, Governor of the Cayman Islands, is confirmed to deliver welcoming remarks for the fourth year. This will be followed by an address from the Hon. Sabrina Turner, MP, Minister of Health and Wellness, and the Hon. Andre Ebanks, JP, MP, Minister for Investment, Innovation & Social Development.

Introductions, presentations, and panels are as follows:

Welcome Remarks

Jane Panton, Chairperson, Alex Panton Foundation (“APF”)

Welcome Remarks

His Excellency Mr. Martyn Roper, OBE, Governor of the Cayman Islands

Opening Address

Hon. Sabrina Turner, MP, Minister of Health and Wellness

Opening Address

Hon. Andre Ebanks, JP, MP, Minister of Investment, Innovation & Social Development

Planning to Thrive in Uncertain Times

Dr Shari Smith, Clinical Psychologist, Life Options

Sit with It: Accepting Life’s Punches and Building Resiliency

Sutton Burke, Clinical Director, Infinite Mindcare

Youth Voice: How We Maintain Hope in These Uncertain Times

Youth Ambassador Programme Panel | Bill LaMonte, Education Coordinator, Jhadari Lumley, Youth Ambassador Leader and Youth Ambassadors: Cristin Jackson (Moderator), Isabella Do Valle, Soleil Parkinson, Lilly Haug, and D’hani Bodden

How Adults and Parents Can Support Young People at Times of Uncertainty

Deirdre Carmola, SEN Case Manager Inclusion, Ministry of Education

Touching Tomorrow from Today: The Value of Mentoring

Pastor Christopher Murray, Counselor, John Gray High School and Director, Boyz2Men Cayman, and Seaford Russell, Student, Boyz2Men and Mark Phillips, Student, Boyz2Men

Learning to Thrive

Three short presentations from a group of young adults, sharing their personal experiences | Alanna Warwick-Smith, Immediate Past President, Rotaract Blue, Brittany Evans, Student of Law, Truman Bodden Law School, and Zaria Anthony, Trainee Pharmacy Technician, Doctors Hospital

YES, WE CAN! Don’t Rule Us Out!

Clare Panyandee, PE Teacher, Lighthouse School

Youth Voice: Inclusion4All

Monina Thompson, Youth Ambassador Leader

The Unique Reflection

Mario Garraway, Mental Health Worker and Youth Counsellor

LGBTQ+ Research Data Presentation

Cavelle Chai-Hong-Delfosse, Clinical Psychologist, Aspire Therapeutic Services

Presented by Jhadari Lumley, Youth Ambassador Leader, and Isaias Pascual, Youth Ambassador

Closing Remarks

Hailee Robinson, Deputy Chairperson, Alex Panton Foundation (“APF”)

APF will still be facilitating an online exhibition area for participants to learn more about key services available and the event sponsors. The virtual exhibitions will be available via the APF website over the coming weeks. 

For more information on this year’s speakers and their topics, please visit the APF website as updates are being published regularly.

Registration is not necessary to take part in this year’s online event. Visit the APF Facebook Page to learn more about live-streaming on the day. Coverage will begin from 10 am. 

APF extends thanks to this year’s generous sponsors for making this event possible: Dart, 3T Cayman MRI, Cayman Compass and Z99, Tower, Burger King and Popeyes, Ministry of Investment, Innovation & Social Development, Infinite Mindcare, Health City Cayman Islands, Aspire Therapeutic Services, CINICO, The Wellness Centre, Ironshore Pharma, C3 Pure Fibre, Ministry of Education,  Ministry of Health and Wellness and Cayman Islands Health Services Authority. 

ENDS –                                                                                                            

About the Alex Panton Foundation

The Alex Panton Foundation (“APF”) is a Non-profit Organisation with the primary objective of raising awareness of mental illnesses affecting children and young adults in the Cayman Islands with a particular focus on anxiety and depression.

This Foundation has been established in memory of Alex Panton, who succumbed to the effects of severe depression at the age of 16.

APF aims to provide hope and resources to friends, family, teachers, classmates, and careers to help save the lives of children and young adults struggling with mental illness.