The CARICOM Youth Ambassadors of Dominica are calling for greater attention to the physical and mental well-being of young people as the Caribbean observes Caribbean Wellness Day 2026 and marks September as Wellness Month.
In a press release, the youth ambassadors said wellness should be treated as an important part of building a healthy, productive and resilient society, with young people placed at the centre of the conversation.
This year’s observance is being held under the theme, “Our Mind, Our Body, Our Wellness: Empowering Caribbean Youth.”
The ambassadors said mental and physical health cannot be treated as unrelated concerns, noting that both are connected and require sustained care and investment.
They pointed to growing concerns about anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health challenges among young people, alongside health risks linked to physical inactivity, unhealthy diets and non-communicable diseases.
The group also raised concern about what it described as an alarming increase in young people experiencing mental illness in Dominica. It is urging greater emphasis on identifying warning signs early, understanding how to respond to mental health challenges and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.
According to the ambassadors, Caribbean Wellness Day and Wellness Month should be used to move beyond simply raising awareness and toward practical action.
They are calling for increased investment in accessible mental health services, health education, physical activity, healthy lifestyles and youth-led wellness programmes. They also want more spaces where young people can openly discuss mental health difficulties and seek assistance without fear of being stigmatized.
The ambassadors said youth wellness must also be considered in the context of the circumstances young people face every day. Economic challenges, academic and employment pressures, family situations, social expectations and the changing digital environment can all affect their physical and mental wellbeing.
They argued that encouraging young people to make healthier choices is not enough on its own. Communities and institutions must also create conditions that allow young people to make and maintain those choices.
The CARICOM Youth Ambassadors further stressed that young people should have a meaningful role in shaping the policies and programmes intended to support them.
They said youth are not simply recipients of health initiatives, but also advocates, innovators, community leaders and decision-makers, adding that their experiences and ideas should help shape services and programmes.
The group is encouraging young people across Dominica and the wider Caribbean to take practical steps to support their own wellness. These include exercising, eating healthier, getting adequate rest, maintaining healthy relationships, managing stress, seeking professional assistance when needed and having honest conversations with trusted people.
At the same time, the ambassadors are urging government agencies, schools, youth organizations, civil society, families and the private sector to strengthen the support networks available to young people.
They said building a healthier Caribbean will require a generation that is empowered to care for its mind, body and overall wellbeing, while also having the support, opportunities and voice necessary to thrive.
Listen to CARICOM Youth Ambassador Dominica representative, Abigail Christmas:
