Dear Editor,

  “Close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. And now, billions of people around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a further impact on people’s mental health.”

  On October 10, 2006, the Mental Health Foundation officially opened a clinic on the L.B. Scot Road. Prior to that date patients were referred to Curaçao for care.

  The growing population and changing demographics on St. Maarten provided for evidence of the urgent need for this care locally.

  A nurse Elena Reyes and Dr. Montoya who would visit biweekly enthusiastically set out to start the task of offering care. Nurse Elena would do intakes and made appointments in preparation of the psychiatrists’ visits, she also did home visits and assisted the police when necessary.

  At the end of 2007 MHF had 70 patients and recruitment started for a permanent psychiatrist, administrator and nurses. In 2017 the foundation was also acknowledged by AVBZ [Social and Health Insurances – Ed.] and could start a Day Treatment Facility and Ambulant care.

  In 2010 a building was bought and renovated by 2011; patients could be admitted and no longer needed to be sent to Curaçao for admission.

  Today the foundation has 7 care products, 900 patients and 50 staff members.

  The foundation came a long way and it was not an easy road but determination, endurance and above all a “Care Vison” is what quidded the foundation to where it is today.

  Providing the best possible care to the St. Maarten population means constant adaptation to the needs of the people. The awareness that much still needs to happen to provide for the needs of the patients has been ongoing.

  The result is that today the foundation has commenced with the NRPB [National Recovery Program Bureau] and the World Bank to improve the care the working group has commenced with; improving the capacity of the foundation for the provisioning of quality mental health care, expanding building, staffing and continuous education.

  The foundation would like to thank all who support the efforts and sincerely hopes to continue to serve by enhancing the alliances with our Government, SZV [Social and Health Insurances] and private insurances and all other health care facilities and professionals.

Mental Health Foundation

Dear Editor,

  I recently read where someone was of the opinion that the Prime Minister should be aware of what journalism is about all over the world. Let me state this, what is worldwide known is that although they are aware of the fact that leaking is wrong they defend leaking and go against those who try to curtail it, hiding behind “freedom of the press”. Journalists even try to expose whistleblowers.

  Because bad news sells does not give anyone the right to try to cut down others especially with the intention to create sensationalism.

  The Minister of VROMI put the Prime Minister in a situation where she had to choose between the lesser of two evils for the country, while at the same time running the risk of being ridiculed by us. And she was. What I also know is that those who defend the press sooner or later will also be a victim of the pen of the press. If not the printed media, the social media. I mentioned it before and I will repeat it. We, the people, should use that article in which the Prime Minister clearly showed disdain for leaking, as a conversation piece and then should also add her clarification in the October 7 paper.

  I did not believe this could go differently, but our people in government brought this upon us. Those 15 people are the ones who were elected to represent us. They should be able to get together and deliberate to see if whatever is proposed, will be accepted or not.

  Whether they vote in favor of or against does not call for insulting and ridiculing each other. I would think that motivating his/her vote in a mature manner is the way any MP should carry out his/her business of representing the people. I believe that a dignified response is better than hitting below the belt. They are not on a campaign podium, this is the legislative hall and should be respected as such.

  I am aware that limited vocabulary causes ridicule and oftentimes foul language. Parliamentary immunity should not be a substitute for one’s limited knowledge of the subject matter. Being an MP demands preparation and not relying on only voting for or against. It is time enough for this modus operandi to change.

  I believe that “by the sweat of your face thou shall eat bread (Genesis 3;19) which in this case is what it should be. My mother used to remind us that man should not work and dog eat, which is not exactly what is written but we all understood fully well what she meant. We must love our neighbor/fellowmen as we love ourselves not more than ourselves, unless we enjoy our wrongdoing and do the same for our neighbor. To that I say, “Shame on you.”

  Again I will fall back on the lack of Civics education. When one man knows his rights and understands the constitution he is able to take advantage of those who do not know them, but when everybody knows them this creates mutual respect, which in turn creates civil growth and civil growth gives confidence and a confident person is ready to face reality. The next step would be the demand for professionalism in all fields. The end results will be the right man in the right place. Wow.

  All of this can be achieved through civil behavior. It will take time but we are quick learners and don’t we have a lot of overqualified persons who are willing to serve once given their due respect?. National pride does not usually demand money.

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

  During The 76^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly this past September, one of the Caribbean’s own, a political heavyweight from Barbados, spoke to approximately 200 national representatives in New York. Mia Mottley’s presence at the podium energized this group of diplomates, with the hope that the super-powers of this world will take the plight of smaller nations seriously especially during this pandemic crisis.

  The Caribbean as a whole has benefited from the assistance given it, mostly from US authorities. The US has supplied over 40 million doses to many of the Caribbean and Latino populations. China has offered approximately one million to specific governments friendly to the Chinese. A form of political sleight of hand is going on in this part of the world, where vaccines are offered as payment for resources and services to be rendered at a later date, all benefiting the giving governments. 

  Many of the island nations have done well vaccinating their populations, such as Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Barbados and the Dominican Republic. Other nations not so well, such as Jamaica, Grenada and St. Lucia whose population has been vaccinated at low levels, perhaps 25 per cent. Availability of vaccines combines with the economic issues that exist due to the property destruction and misplacement of the population due to fierce seasonal storms and earthquakes in Haiti. Due to these health restrictions the usual services given the island nations during such crises are on hold, difficult to acquire or proceeding very slowly. 

  The nations of this world who have, usually share with the have-not nations, except when a global health crisis exists. Nationalism raises its ugly head, and the needs of the few will outweigh the needs of the many. The First World’s population’s needs trump those of the other nations of the world. 

  Prime Minister Mia Mottley called out the United Nations and its many powerful national members to not forget the Little Guy. Like the “mouse that roared”, the Barbadian used forceful images and words to direct everyone’s attention to her part of the world, and also to many global smaller nations.

  I hope Mia Mottley’s attention-grabber was as forceful and effective as Nikita Khrushchev historic shoe-slapping event. As we move out of this crisis pandemic mode the great powers will once again ignore the plight and needs of the smaller nations of the world. It is only natural for them to do so.

  Perhaps it is time the Caribbean’s leaders and those of all smaller nations realize that only through unity and collective action can the little guys’ needs be met. The powerful nations of the world cared for their own first, and then shared the leftovers. Unite the Caribbean like it has not been done before. Meet all of the islands’ selfish needs through strict community planning and management. Establish an economic and political alliance with Canada, a large nation with a small population. Like Prime Minister Mottley, think our side of the box. It is the only way The Caribbean can develop into a self-sufficient region.

Steven Kaszab

Bradford, Ontario

UNIDOP’s “Digital Equity for All Ages” is the theme for this year’s International Day of Older Persons. The theme stresses the need for the elderly to receive access to the digital world and help them become active participants to enrich their lives. As per the United Nations, elderly persons in the least developed countries are, for the most part, not getting proper access to the digital world. There are also legitimate cyber security risks that compromise the privacy, security and human rights of the elderly and St. Maarten is no exception.

  Elderly persons are a gift to society. They are wise and have the benefits of hindsight, compared to the youth who are often impulsive and lack experience. Society benefits from the teachings of the elderly. The latter, however, suffer, not only from debilitating illnesses but often from abuse and disregard by others. The International Day of Older Persons, held on October 1 annually, addresses issues that affect the elderly and looks at solutions to the challenges they face.

  As President of the Home Away From Home Taking Care of the Golden Age Foundation, and the St. Maarten Seniors Pensioners Association, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all elderly persons here and the surrounding Islands, Saba, St. Eustatius and Anguilla a “Happy International Elderly Day/Month”.

  The year 2021 marks the 31^st Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP). This year thus far has been challenging for the elderly in many different ways. Getting used to the new normal which rightly confirms the theme for this year “Digital Equity”, a vast majority of seniors are suffering the consequences of not being digitally inclined.

  Important services such as SZV are now totally digital as well as certain services offered by the Government that cannot be accessed unless it is done online. Where does this leave the elderly person who does not have a computer or is not that versed on the phone? Some live alone, some children are hardly around them, how are they going to make it in the digital world?

  I totally agree that most of the elderly are not in a position to help themselves for one reason or another. However, it would be of great assistance if the relevant authorities schedule quarterly outreach programs to accommodate the elderly to complete their online transactions which can be scheduled at one of the centres, such as John Lamonie Centre, to interview the people who need help. This may be collaborated with other foundations in order for all seniors to become digitally inclined.

  I am also taking this opportunity to thank the government for assisting the elderly with food vouchers, but based on my observation, it could have been processed through the various foundations that deal with the seniors who would be better able to verify those in need of the vouchers. I had the opportunity to team up with SMDF to ensure that the seniors I am affiliated with received vouchers. I am totally happy with the outcome as most of them received and expressed that they were very happy with the assistance. On this note I want to publicly thank the St. Maarten Development Funds (SMDF) team for going the extra mile to facilitate the elderly.

  There was an announcement made by the President of Turkish whereby he indicated that elderly persons over 65 years will receive free houses, better medical care and a $300 stipend monthly. I know our government would not be able to match these great benefits that those seniors will be receiving, but the appeal goes out to at least treat our seniors better. We should be the first to be considered when assistance is given and not be discriminated by assuming what their status should be or to believed that some seniors are not in need. Once a senior presents themselves for assistance, it means that person is in need.

  Once again, I am appealing to the Government of St. Maarten to honour our seniors, as without them St. Maarten would not be what it is today. They have paved the way and there are many ways in which we can repay the elderly. One way is to show appreciation via the business community whereby they offer promotions to the elderly as a form of gratitude. I will put out the challenge to see which business will step up and honour our seniors. We are also looking to the Government to recognize the seniors in the community during the month of October.

   With a heart full of mixed feelings, sometimes full of joy and other times saddened by the way the elderly persons are neglected, I would still like to wish all of us a Happy International Day and Month as the celebrations continue throughout the entire month.

  Continue to be safe and remember, we are leaders and not followers. Let us lead by example.

Patricia Flanders