Minding your mental health overseas
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL:
Cayman Islands: 911
Canada: 911
USA: 911
United Kingdom: 999
Europe: 112
Cayman Connection is here for you.
In addition to our Virtual Yard Meetings we are here to point you in the right direction if you feel you are in need of support or experiencing mental health challenges. Depending on your needs we will signpost you to a service that can help.
To reach us or the Cayman Islands Government Offices please see our contact details here.
We can point you in the right direction if you are unsure of what the support you need. We have two Mental Health First Aiders on staff to speak with you.
Tel: + 44 7861 597 795
Email: hello@caymanconnection.org
CAYMAN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT OFFICE – UK
If you are a Caymanian in the region and need support, you may reach out to the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK (CIGO-UK):
Tel: +44 207 491 7772
Cell: +44 791 603 9521
Email: info.cigo@gov.ky or Website: www.cigouk.ky
You are not alone.
It is normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and not okay! You are not alone, and caring professionals are readily available to help you.
Being overseas and away from home can severely affect your mood and feelings. Luckily, mental health resources around the globe and in the Cayman Islands are now easily accessible and plentiful. The best thing you can do for your mental health is share your thoughts, get insight on what you may be going through and express your feelings.
Trained counsellors and psychiatrists can offer consultations through online sessions and social media support groups. If an in-person consultation is not possible, they can also provide psychological assessments and check-ins by phone or video call.
The Alex Panton Foundation is also a good place to seek help. The APF is a not-for-profit organisation with the primary objective of raising awareness of mental illnesses affecting children and young adults – this is donethrough advocacy, awareness and support. We work closely with the Alex Panton Foundation to support mental health struggles of our members – for more information please visit: alexpantonfoundation.ky.
You can also access support from overseas through the Alex Panton Foundation Financial Assistance Programme if you need to connect with a local provider in the Cayman Islands.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES*
*This list is not exhaustive, and we are updating this list frequently, adding other reputable agencies.
Here is a list of mental health support services. Please remember that if you are a student, you can also speak with a trained counselor through your University Support Services.
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THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
ALEX PANTON FOUNDATION
Supports mental health struggles – LINK
Other support services: alexpantonfoundation.ky/resources
United Kingdom / Europe
URGENT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Find an urgent mental health line:
United Kingdom: 999
Europe: 112
CALM
Campaign Against Living Miserably, for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason.
Call 0800 58 58 58
(daily, 5pm to midnight)
Free, anonymous webchat with trained staff
(daily, 5pm to midnight)
Visit the CALM website here.
CRISIS
TEXT LINE – 24/7 crisis support across the UK.
Text HOPE to 85258
if you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need support.
HUB OF HOPE
Talking to someone could be the start of you getting better. Hub of Hope can help you find support that’s right for you – WEBSITE HERE
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR EU STUDENTS (by country):
Mental health support for students in Europe | European Education Area (europa.eu)
SAMARITANS (UK)
Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call: 116 123
email: jo@samaritans.org
Samaritans self-help app – LINK HERE
SHOUT
Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer.
Shout is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s the first free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Shout is available in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Scotland:
Here to help you get the right help and support when you need it – LINK
Wales:
Services to support you and others you may be worried about in Wales – LINK
CANADA
Government of Canada – Mental Health Support
You can talk to a mental health professional one on one by calling: 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to: 686868 for youth or 741741 for adults
www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html
Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CCMHS)
Canada-wide mental health resources:
www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1