Dr Rubaine announces mental health review for BVI

Dr Virginia Rubaine, Director of Mental Health Services at the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), has announced plans to assess public mental health in the territory.

While she acknowledged significant progress in reducing barriers to mental health care, Dr Rubaine emphasised that more work remains.

“The territory has made great strides in reducing barriers to care,” Dr. Rubaine said in an interview with BVI News. “Residents are more comfortable accessing care when needed, but we must continue our efforts to make mental wellness universally accepted.”

“We are currently in the process of gathering quantitative and qualitative data, hopefully, if all goes well by the end of next month,” Dr Rubaine said, indicating the report should be ready by the end of October.

Suicide awareness

In the wake of World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on September 10, the Ministry of Health has been actively promoting suicide awareness. The day’s theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” aims to reduce the stigma associated with suicide prevention.

Dr Rubaine, who has over 21 years of experience in the field, noted that there have been five reported suicides throughout her career, none of which occurred in the past five years. She pointed out that while many in the territory may benefit from mental health services, access remains limited.

“This is why we have the anti-stigma campaign,” she explained.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health announced that the Mental Health Services Unit (BVIHSA) received international recognition for its “Mindful Campaign.” Health Minister Vincent Wheatley noted that the campaign’s success led to invitations to two international conferences, highlighting its significance in the fields of mental health, anti-stigma, and public health.

The Mindful Campaign, spearheaded by Dr Rubaine, was launched in the latter half of 2023 and focuses on advancing mental health awareness and combating stigma surrounding those with lived experiences.