Today, on World Mental Health Day, we feel it is important to share the results of this research study with the community.
Researchers spent a week on Saba conducting local interviews, while stakeholders and professionals in the field were interviewed via video call beforehand. Local interviews were conducted with over 60 participants, including individuals with mental health issues, their family members, and members of the general public. The research aimed to understand perceptions of current mental health services and explore how individuals and their families experience support for mental health challenges.
Among the key findings of the research was the importance of raising awareness about mental health to help destigmatize it. In addition, the study suggests the need for more anonymous mental health care, such as online consultations or face-to-face consultations with non-resident professionals who visit Saba regularly to provide community support and guidance.
Based on interviews with participating mental health professionals, the study also found that they recognize opportunities to improve mental health awareness and support services. They aim to empower the community in understanding and addressing mental health challenges, while advocating for collaborative efforts and initiatives to improve accessibility and trust within the community.
The research combination of mental health and public safety topics documented an important finding about the link between the two. Professionals who participated in the research noted that factors that affect how safe people feel are often related to mental health concerns. For example, the combination of low wages and the high cost of necessities can lead individuals to turn to substances to cope with stress.
This reliance on substances can then affect their behavior and mental state, contributing to situations that feel unsafe for themselves and others.
Another key finding of the research in relation to public safety is that the community respondents largely experience Saba as one of the safest islands to live on in terms of public safety. However, respondents feel that safety on the streets is often better perceived than the safety behind closed doors. They point out that there is a lot going on behind closed doors on the island that the community is not aware of.
The information in the study will assist the Public Entity, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Public Order and Safety, and other stakeholders on these issues to identify opportunities for improvement and inform priorities for future programs aimed at improving the overall safety, health, and well-being of the community.
We would like to thank all those in the community who participated in the study, including the stakeholders, and professionals who provided valuable insights and contributed to the research process.
You are encouraged to read the results of the study, which are now available on the Public Entity website at SMK Reseach Public Health & Safety on Saba
