Mental health advocate Chaniel Imhoff, founder of WISH, is urging a shift toward a more Caribbean-centred approach to mental health awareness and healing, with a particular focus on children and young people.
Imhoff made the call during the annual Scrub Life Cares Women and Girls Health Expo on Saturday, according to Antigua.news, where she outlined the ongoing work her organisation carries out across communities and schools throughout Antigua and Barbuda.
Imhoff described WISH as more than a standard advocacy group, characterising it as a team composed entirely of women and survivors who draw on lived experience in their work. "We are not just mental health advocates. We are all survivors and a team made up entirely of women, so we bring very unique experiences," she said.
A core concern for Imhoff is the dominance of Western perspectives in the mental health information currently circulating across the Caribbean region. She argued that much of this material fails to reflect local realities. "What we find is that a lot of the mental health awareness being shared is very Western and not necessarily built for a Caribbean context," she said. "So we try to contextualize the awareness that we bring."
Early intervention among children and adolescents remains a central pillar of WISH's mission. Imhoff noted that unresolved childhood experiences frequently manifest as emotional difficulties in adulthood. "There are a lot of things we carry into adulthood from childhood and adolescence, so we are trying to create safe spaces where those issues can be unpacked before they become bigger problems," she explained.
As part of its outreach efforts, WISH has developed a "Tie to Your Mind" colouring and activity book, available online, and has distributed educational posters to primary and secondary schools across the country.
The organisation is also expanding into creative therapy through art and mural projects designed to help young people express themselves in constructive ways. Its first mural project, located at the DRG, features bright, uplifting imagery intended to inspire positivity and emotional connection.
Imhoff emphasised that artistic expression can serve as a powerful tool for emotional healing, especially for young people who struggle to put their feelings into words. "Sometimes you don't have the words to explain what you're feeling, but you can put it on canvas or on paper," she said. "Art is a real form of therapy."
Looking ahead, Imhoff said WISH plans to roll out additional artistic and mental wellness projects in schools and communities across the country throughout the remainder of 2026.
The Scrub Life Cares Women and Girls Health Expo brought together advocates, health professionals, educators and community organisations united around wellness, empowerment and development for women and young girls.
