A debut book by author and journalist Michron Robinson has put renewed focus on the urgency of mental health support in Barbados, with speakers at the book’s launch warning that stigma, weak support systems and policy gaps continue to leave many without help.
Minds Over Matters: Why You Should Never Quit – My Journey on Living with a Mental Health Diagnosis Successfully brought together mental health advocates, family members and supporters at La Cabane, Batts Rock, for an evening of reflection, discussion and encouragement.
Robinson told the audience that the publication was written over nearly a decade and was intended to serve as a source of hope for people facing personal struggles.
“And today… is not even about me. It’s not about my story,” she said. “We have young people across Barbados locked into toxic jobs, people in families, you know, mothers barely surviving above the bread line, fathers who may be on the blocks across Barbados. And this book is especially for you, some of us who face and fight these silent battles.”
Reflecting on the writing process, Robinson explained that she wanted the book to come from a place of healing. She encouraged Barbadians to continue conversations around mental health and to support one another through difficult periods.
“I allowed people into my world, understanding that people don’t have a supportive family like I do,” Robinson said. “People really need hope and come to the common understanding that our minds are literally more powerful than any matter that’s out there.”
The author also stressed the importance of safe spaces where people can openly discuss their challenges.
“I think continuing those conversations within safe spaces is important,” she said.
Robinson pointed to community support, financial stability and access to services as key factors in helping people cope with mental health challenges. She also called on policymakers and insurance providers to address barriers faced by people living with mental health conditions.
“So, I’m really calling on our policy makers to reconsider this, to have the conversation with our insurance leaders,” she said. “This is a segment that you’re losing possible revenue from—people who’ve been affected by mental health.”
Moderating the discussion, Firhaana Bulbulia praised Robinson for sharing her experiences publicly and preserving them for future generations.
“I think about the importance of this moment and this book,” she said. “As a young black, Caribbean woman, to be open about your vulnerability, about your story, about the challenges that you faced with mental health and overcoming that to be able to capture that on paper and to leave that for generations to come, I think you’ve paved the way for young women.”
Bulbulia noted that community was a recurring theme throughout the book and questioned what additional support systems were needed in Barbados to strengthen mental health care and social connections.
Mental health advocate Dr David Johnson described the publication as a significant contribution to ongoing efforts to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness.
Dr David Johnson mental health advocate. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
“It took bravery and courage to release a book like this in a society like the one that we have,” he said. “It takes courage to speak up about a personal struggle, any personal struggle, but particularly one like this one, one that touches mental illness and mental health.”
Referring to a recent CARICOM UNICEF study, Johnson highlighted the scale of the challenge facing young people:
“One in two young people are dealing with a mental struggle right now and 54 per cent of them lack a reliable support system,” he said. “These are the kind of statistics that keep me up at night.”
He warned that silence surrounding mental health issues continues to deepen stigma and prevent people from seeking assistance.
“The harsh truth is that all that’s required for stigma to thrive is silence and inaction,” Johnson said. “If we don’t do anything about it, it’s not going to miraculously go away.”
Describing the book as more than a personal memoir, he added: “I see this not just as a book. I see this as a public health intervention. I see it as a tool that can be used to generate conversations.”
Johnson urged Barbadians to consider their role in supporting those facing mental health challenges.
The persons who attended the book launch. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
“What action are you prepared to take?” he asked. “What are you willing to do within your household, within your community, within your school, within your workplace to challenge stigma?”
The book launch featured musical selections including Keep Going On by Sonny Meraki and Superstar by Sir Ruel, while audience members participated in a discussion segment where they shared personal experiences and reflected on the themes raised in the book.
(LE)
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