The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) marked World Mental Health Day 2025 by hosting a groundbreaking youth-led forum in Bridgetown, Barbados, under the theme “Breaking the Silence: Commercial Determinants of Mental Health.” The event, held on 10 October 2025, brought together young people, government representatives, and partners from across the Eastern Caribbean to explore how commercial factors — such as marketing practices, digital media, and corporate policies — shape mental health outcomes. Organized in partnership with Let’s Unpack It, Healthy Caribbean Youth, Ross University School of Medicine, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean, and Barbados’ Ministries of Health and Education, the forum celebrated youth leadership and their role in transforming mental health dialogue across the region.
Barbados’ Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Davidson Ishmael, praised young people for their openness in addressing mental health challenges, noting that their engagement provides critical opportunities for data collection and policy reform. He emphasized that commercial factors, including unhealthy industries and digital environments, significantly heighten the risk of depression, anxiety, and self-harm among youth. Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, PAHO/WHO Advisor for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that private-sector practices — from alcohol and food marketing to social media and gambling — deeply influence public mental well-being and require collective action to mitigate their effects.
The forum’s centerpiece was its youth-led discussions and performances, which shifted the event from a traditional policy dialogue to a creative and empowering movement. A touching performance titled “Can You Reach My Friend?” by student Oshea Stoute opened the session, followed by a candid fireside chat moderated by youth advocates Stephanie Whiteman and Pierre Cooke Jr. Participants examined the intersection of commercial influences with issues like climate change, digital culture, and consumerism, underscoring the growing awareness among Caribbean youth of how these external forces shape their emotional resilience. Advocacy training sessions led by Dr. David Johnson and Chelsea Jordan equipped young attendees with practical tools to influence policy, communicate effectively, and mobilize peers around mental health advocacy.
The event also showcased the importance of partnerships in driving progress. Ross University School of Medicine reaffirmed its support for mental health research in the Caribbean, focusing on how commercial determinants affect well-being. UNICEF highlighted youth engagement as a cornerstone of its mental health programming, while the Healthy Caribbean Youth and Let’s Unpack It networks reiterated their commitment to empowering young advocates and pushing for policy protections against harmful commercial practices.
By the close of the forum, participants expressed renewed motivation and a clear sense of purpose. The event not only commemorated World Mental Health Day but also reinforced PAHO’s dedication to addressing the commercial and social drivers of mental health through evidence-based advocacy and youth empowerment. Moving forward, PAHO and its partners plan to integrate awareness of commercial determinants into national mental health strategies, expand youth advocacy platforms, strengthen Caribbean-specific research, and support the creation of regulatory frameworks to curb harmful industry influences.
The forum stood as a testament to the power of collective action and youth leadership. As one participant noted, understanding how systems shape mental health gives young people the power to transform them. Through continued collaboration, PAHO and its partners aim to ensure that every young person in the Caribbean can thrive in environments that nurture — rather than compromise — their mental well-being.
