Yveth Quintanilla

Yveth Quintanilla, Mental health Coordinator, Ministry of Health and Wellness

“When these incidents happened, we take it very seriously. But we also want to highlight that these incidents are a minority. Often times we would see that when persons who suffer from a mental disorder, there’s a three to five percent of these incidents happening. Whereas when we compare them as them being victims, they’re ten times more likely to be victims rather than them perpetrating different incidences out there. So that three to five percent compared to the persons who are mentally well and committing the robberies, the murders, and all the other incidents that are happening there. It’s a very small minority, but we, as a ministry, we do take it seriously. For known cases, we actively follow them and we ensure that they receive the mental health services that they require. For the unknown cases now, I really want to ask the public to work with us: the families to be able to provide that support to their loved ones. The family are the first persons to notice any difference. For example, if the person is withdrawing, the person is not sleeping, they’re not eating like how they used to eat before or eating more than, then these are some of the first symptoms to indicate that, okay, something might be going on beyond what is normal. So don’t wait until things happen to come to our clinics. We want to catch it at the very beginning. And the family, the community is very important in identifying these things..”

And tonight, the ministry is urging families to spot those early warning signs and reach out for help before a loved one slips into crisis.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Ministry Warns: Missed Mental‑Health Signs Fuel Crises first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Sr. Superintendent Reymundo Reyes, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“I know that this is a concern. Recently there was a discussion in Belmopan in regards to the same situation, not knowing that cabinet had already made an agreement or agreed that they will be looking into it because it is a concern for us. We police officers, like always we do have or respond to the situations and so forth, but when family members bring documents to present to us that this person is or has been certified medically unfit. There’s not much that we could do, Now with the assistance of other agencies that will definitely help us. Early last year, if you could recall, there was an exercise done by, not only the police department, but by other Ministries, where a lot of these people were removed from the streets and taken up north. But I believe that after the exercise was done for a three month period, it is something that they were trying out and persons were released back into society. So looking at this and maybe doing the analysis and so forth, they have noticed that they do need more efforts to be done in emphasis for us to get assistance for these people that are living within the streets of Belize City.”

The post Police Seek to Assists Mentally Ill Citizens on Streets first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

Wilford Felix is the president of the National Creole Council and a passionate enthusiast of his cultural identity. Beyond the title, he lives and breathes Creole culture to preserve tradition while creating spaces for healing, connection, and cultural pride.

                    Wilford Felix

Wilford Felix, President, National Kriol Council
“ Being a cultural advocate, I draw from my childhood. We never used to drum, but we used to hit buckets. We used to hit pin bottles. We used to scrape graters and we sang songs and bram in the house.”

While his passion for Creole culture was shaped early on, drawing from memories of childhood expression and improvisation, that commitment deepened through mentorship. And with the passing of elder pioneers, the torch of Creole culture needed new hands to carry it forward.

Wilford Felix
“They are giants and I actually feel inadequate when it comes to fulfilling their life’s work, but as we say at the National Creole Council, “One, one ochra full basket”.  The example that Emit is setting, he’s still with us and I personally want to give him his flowers while he’s still alive. The Governor General recently acknowledged him for his dedication to Creole culture. Ms. Myrna had gotten similar acknowledgement, Ms. Leila also, but I looked at the age group that these advocates are in and then I looked at my age group and even the younger ones, and there’s not much of us in this age group that’s taking up the work.”

Felix lives his Creole culture daily through language, dress, and music. As a second-generation member of the Boom and Chime band, he keeps a traditional sound alive, rooted in storytelling and Creole identity, while supporting local creatives and celebrating Caribbean culture.

Wilford Felix
“ This drum is the original boom drum from Mr. Peter’s Boom and Chime band, according to Mr. Peter’s grandson, who is the current lead singer of the Boom and Chime, second generation band. This drum was built by Mr. Peter’s dad, close to either, or shortly after the 1931 hurricane. So we’re looking at a drum that’s closing a hundred years.”

Wilford Felix

“As a child, I didn’t understand what it was that I was attracted to in Bruk Down music. Mr Peters, Miss Leila, Lord Rhaburn, we grew up on their music and we enjoyed the music. But why? Because it’s healing.”

Formally certified as a mental health counselor, Felix believes the rhythmic sounds and dances of his culture’s music offer more than tradition, they hold a powerful connection to healing, helping people process emotions, strengthen community bonds, and carry forward cultural identity.

Wilford Felix
“ Taking my experience as a counselor and my experience as a cultural practitioner, the two merge traditionally. This is what the music is for, not just for us to feel good, not just for us to have fun. But on a deeper level, the reason it feels good is because it’s repairing us.”

While Felix channels the rhythms and dances of Creole music to promote healing and preserve culture, Michelle Shanti Williams of Om Shanti Belize uses yoga and meditation to foster well‑being and community connection. She spoke about the similarities between their work.

                   Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams, Owner, Om Shanti Spa and Wellness Retreat
“Like Wilfred describes his Creole culture therapy, It incorporates call and response, which is also something we call Kirtan. The dancing and the movement is almost like free dancing and we incorporate all the elements. And so I was so happy to find that. Um, he was also developing.”

Wilford Felix
“The human being is a social creature, so depression and anxiety specifically inhibits that aspect of your natural self. So the way that these sessions are designed culturally, it’s. Participatory. So there is the element of social connection.”

At the helm of Creole Kulcha Therapy, he invites participants at Om Shanti Belize to explore Creole culture through the artistry of rhythm, storytelling, and collective expression.

Wilford Felix
“ You might be in a place where you’re coming from a high stress environment, might wanna do nothing but just sit down or even just want to lay down. Maybe you want to sit in your lotus position and meditate to the music. We will have varied areas or designated areas set up for these types of interaction.”

While there’s room for conventional healing, Felix shows that holistic healing can also have its place when embraced. A space to connect, reflect, and find comfort, through someone else’s culture, or your very own. Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.

The post Healing Through the Beat of Creole Culture first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                        Bernard Pitts Jr.

Bernard Pitts Jr., Son of Attack Victim

“We’re very thankful that my mom is recovering, I believe quite well. We have done follow-ups with the neurologist and the doctor. We have done MRIs and X-rays and it has shown she is okay so far, but we’ll continue to monitor because we don’t know what may develop down the road.”

Shane Williams

“What was it like for you as a son looking at the video that went viral, knowing that’s your mom?”

Bernard Pitts Jr.

“I said, mom, there’s a video that’s saying that you have been attacked or punched, or something like that. And she said, yes, baby da me. Immediately I started to cry because I did not see the video and, I could not phantom imagining my mom who is sixty-nine-year-old taking a punch or taking a hit and then being rendered unconscious. And it, it really took a lot out of me. And I think what needs to be done is that perhaps there’s more care taken for these people, maybe from the Ministry of Health or so, because we don’t know what is happening with these people. We don’t know what they’re suffering, what they’re going through, and. We basically box them out in a corner.”

The post BQ Pitts Jr. Cried After Seeing Video of Attack on His Mother first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

What you’re looking at is a shocking scene, a woman knocked unconscious after a violent attack on West Canal Street. Police say the man responsible is twenty-seven-year-old Kareem Anderson, who has reportedly struggled with mental health issues since his late teens. It’s a disturbing incident that raises serious questions about mental health and public safety. According to his family, the issues began after his father passed and he fell into depression. His stepfather, Sheldon Dennison admits that what Anderson did was wrong; however, he believes there is a deeper issue at play.

                          Sheldon Dennison

Sheldon Dennison, Kareem Anderson’s Stepfather

“Weh happen di lee bwai da no wa normal individual, so people need fi stop have stigma bout this incident. Because nobody happy bout the incident weh happen. And people should realize that no everybody inn awa state ah mind weh ney could control neyslef so best we just leave natire to the force and mek we just see weh could be done about it. Da no somebody weh you could brag and boast. Da somebody weh have a mental issue. Ova eight years. So come on. The government shouldn’t have these type of individuals on the street. Ney should have a better security fi ney type ah people ney.”

Unprovoked Attacks on Women Expose Belize’s Mental Health Crisis

The incident was entirely unprovoked and prompted passersby to immediately come to the victim’s aid. Joseph Castillo, an employee at a nearby meat shop, was among the first to spring into action. He says that the attack has left him shaken, as the victim could have been his wife, mother, or daughter.

                      Voice of: Joseph Castillo

Voice of: Joseph Castillo, Witness

“I was right here minding my own business when the lady was coming this way and I just see this crazy guy come and punch down the lady. So my thing is, I just assist the lady, cuz ney type ah thing you no do mama. It coulda mi be anyone ah my family, it could mi be serious. But weh I do da help the lady. But the government really need fi do something bout this. Get ney people off the street because ney could hurt innocent people.”

                       Kareem Anderson

Kareem Anderson is charged with two counts of harm after attacking two women in Belize City, the second assault caught on video the same day. His actions show a troubling pattern of violence against women, sparking public outrage and calls for justice. But before sentencing, Anderson will undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

                        Stacy Smith

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Anderson reported to have assaulted two unsuspecting females by punching them, causing them to fall on the street. Mr. Anderson was detained and today he was taken before the magistrate court in Belize City where no plea was taken from him in relation to the offense charged.  He was remanded to the Belize Central Prison where he is expected to return at a later date pending a psychiatric evaluation.”

Anderson is back on the streets, fueling anxiety over his condition and the safety of others. He’s now among hundreds of mentally ill Belizeans left to wander the city. His sister, Monique Dennison, says the family once sought treatment for him, but claims it only made things worse.

                         Monique Dennison

Monique Dennison, Kareem Anderson’s Sister

“My ma ker he da di clinic pan Faber’s Road weh da mi di Port Loyola clinic weh part ney ker di mentally ill people ney. When she ker ah deh, she just ker ah and lef ah deh. Dey no run no kind of test pan this young bwai fi seh weh da di cause of the problem or why he down or nothing like that. Ney just give ah wa injection and from he get that injection. That just mess he up. He start do jumping jacks, he start do pushups and stuff like that. So fi be honest, anybody weh mi know my breda know he da mi wa nice person.”

How do we get people in crisis off the streets and into care? Kathy Esquivel, founder of the Mental Health Association of Belize, says the country urgently needs a system to remove those in acute mental distress from public spaces. Right now, psychiatric units don’t have the authority to intervene.

On the Phone: Kathy Esquivel, Founder, Mental Health Association of Belize

“We need a special, what they call forensic unit. That would just take people in a psychotic phase and it would be a very short detention to stabilize them and then to decide what happens where they need to go. There is a special unit at the prison for psych psychiatric patients and a psychiatrist does visit on a regular basis, but the answer is not just to lock people up.”

Places such as the Welcome Resource Center offer social support for homeless and mentally ill Belizeans with food, medication and hygiene facilities available for free. However, funding is limited and the volunteers can only offer care to those who show up to receive it. Castillo is one of many voices demanding that the government intervenes in these situations.

Voice of: Joseph Castillo

“I see him quite a while. He always de round pan this street ya.”

Britney Gordon

“And has aggressive things like this happened in the area?”

Voice of: Joseph Castillo

“Yeah people always stone people with bottle and cuss you out and thing like that so it no mek no sense fi keep ney people pan di street.”

Despite Anderson’s violent attacks, most mentally ill Belizeans, especially those living on the streets, are more likely to be victims than perpetrators. The Mental Health Association is urging the public to volunteer time and resources to help this vulnerable group. Meanwhile, many are calling on the government to act and get people in crisis off the streets before another tragedy occurs. Britney Gordon for News Five.

The post Unprovoked Attacks on Women Expose Belize’s Mental Health Crisis first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Surveillance footage shows the man knocking one woman unconscious near the Michael Finnegan Market on Christmas Eve and later assaulting another woman along Orange Street.

With limited support systems, many people living with untreated psychiatric conditions are left to roam the streets, putting themselves and others at risk.

Kathy Esquivel, founder of the Mental Health Association of Belize, says the country’s system is not equipped to respond effectively in acute situations. “Only the police have the authority to pick people up,” she explained. “Threatening that person is probably the worst thing you can do because they’re already feeling paranoid… And unfortunately, sometimes the police end up shooting ’cause they don’t know.”

While police now receive basic training on mental health, Esquivel noted they are not expected to become experts in psychiatry. The bigger challenge, she said, is what happens after someone is detained.

The Association is pushing for a special forensic unit that could briefly hold individuals, stabilise them, and then decide on appropriate care or action.“I know a lot of people just want to lock people up and throw away the key. Apart from not being a very humane answer, it’s a very expensive answer,” she said.

“Most of them are not a danger to others, and they face a lot of danger. They’re beaten up. They’re mistreated. So it goes both ways.” Esquivel added that Belize needs and is already looking at a legislative framework that would allow authorities to intervene before someone commits a crime.

The post Expert Says Locking Up the Mentally Ill Isn’t the Solution first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Despite the challenges, Belize is making progress. Mental health services have grown far beyond the old psychiatric hospital. Clinics across the country now provide care through psychiatric nurse practitioners who can diagnose, treat, and refer patients for counselling. 

However, the system continues to face shortages in medication, staff, and funding. Stigma remains a major barrier, affecting how mental health is treated in communities and even within government.

In recognition of World Mental Health Day, the Ministry of Health & Wellness hosted a training for police officers, focusing on their role as first responders in crises like domestic violence, gang activity, and natural disasters. Officers learnt about trauma, suicide prevention, and psychological first aid.

Meanwhile, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital emphasised that caring for others begins with caring for ourselves. The hospital now provides mental health support for doctors, nurses, and staff through an on-site psychiatrist and trained mental health nurses.

The post We Don’t Talk About It Enough: Mental Health in Belize first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The forum, themed “Building Student Wellness Together”, will focus on managing stress, staying balanced, and caring for mental health. Guest speaker Dr Kristcha DeGuerre, a clinical social worker and mental health expert, will share practical tips on mindfulness, stress management, and recovering from burnout.

NSUB founder Guillermo Berganza says the goal is to help youth “learn practical ways to manage stress, build resilience, and prioritise their mental well-being.” Adding to that, the event aims to encourage open conversations and break the stigma around mental health.

Students, youth leaders, and young professionals are encouraged to join and be part of the conversation on self-care and emotional wellness.

Join via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/qnn-pjzk-taa

The post NSUB To Host Free Online Mental Health Forum for Youth first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

She was just a young woman in 1988 poised, graceful, and full of promise when she stepped into the national spotlight as Belize’s Queen of the Bay. Her name? Gayla Lopez. The crown and sash made her a symbol of pride for an entire country, but that moment was only the beginning.

                       Gayla Lopez

Gayla Lopez, Mental Health Advocate

“Queen of the Bay, back then, in my days, it had a lot to do with your elegance, your poise, your grace, your intellect, how intelligent you were, because we did have to answer questions. Um, but a lot to do with your grace, your elegance, your beauty, your poise, and um. That was pretty much a scene then 37 years ago.”

Times have changed and so has the crown. Gayla Lopez has watched the evolution of the pageant with pride—where today’s contestants are not just symbols of grace, but voices for change, championing causes and stepping into advocacy roles.

Gayla Lopez

“It gives you a sense of pride, you know, to be a part of history, to be, it’s a part of our heritage. Like I said, queen of the Bay is just something that’s, um, kind of embedded, you know, so it does, it brings a smile to your face.”

For Gayla, that pride also planted the seeds for something deeper, a journey of healing and self-discovery that led her to help others, beginning with children. Out of her personal journey came a powerful idea, one that’s now helping young people navigate their own emotional worlds. Inspired by her transformation, Gayla Lopez created 5 Journal, a guided tool that blends creativity with reflection.

Gayla Lopez

“I created a children’s journal called, called Five Journal. It deals with, um, children being able to recognize, to express and to embrace their emotions. It’s a way for them, because a lot of people are not able to verbalize, they can’t articulate what they’re feeling and to be able to articulate what you’re feeling, it empowers you as well, because the emotions are messengers.”

Gayla’s personal journey of healing and self-expression inspired her to use creativity as a bridge for emotional growth. Through her work, she encourages children to find their own voice, often turning to art to communicate feelings that words alone can’t capture.

Gayla Lopez

“I’ve used art as a tool, a part of my life. When I was processing my own life growing up, I resorted to art as my escape. So what I’ve done is incorporate art as a tool for children to verbalize what they’re feeling and express themselves. It’s kind of like speaking colors when words cannot.”

And while her focus initially began with children, Gayla Lopez acknowledges that her work has revealed a deeper truth—adults, too, can benefit from the resource as they learn to better understand and process their emotions.

Gayla Lopez

“Since then to now I’ve had to step back, like I said, because I recognize that adults are not able to articulate or to verbalize their own feelings, and they’re the people that I need to be able to assist children in this journey as well. So I’ve had to step back and I, so I offer sessions for adults primarily, but also for children. I think a lot of it has to do with how we were brought up as adults. We’re from different generations, so the way I was raised is very different from how my children are being raised now—or how their children will be. It’s like different stages. And I think one of the hindrances is how we often tell boys, for example, that they have to be tough—“you’re not supposed to cry.” I mean, that’s basically telling them not to feel. But they’re human beings too.”

After nearly four decades of service, reflection, and impact, Gayla Lopez sees her journey as more than personal, it’s patriotic. For her, patriotism isn’t just about waving a flag; it’s about rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work to move your country forward.

Gayla Lopez

“For me, patriotism means love of country, right? Um, there’s lots of work that needs to be done. I try to live my life as best as possible to be patriotic. Uh, for the love of my country, but there’s, to be real honest, there’s lots of work to be done. Um, I don’t think one person can do that. You can try.”

While being a beauty queen can be an empowering experience, it’s important to remember that a title does not define your true worth. Crowns and sashes may fade with time, but the strength of your character is the crown you wear for life. That’s the real legacy—one of resilience, growth, and purpose beyond the spotlight. Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.

The post Gayla Lopez’s Story: From Pageant Stage to Healing Pages first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

When someone is acting out or behaving aggressively, how the police respond can literally save lives. That’s why this week, officers from the Belize Police Department took part in a special workshop focused on mental health. The objective is to learn how to handle these tough situations with care and understanding. Assistant Superintendent Jane Usher, who leads the department’s training efforts, shared some of the helpful tips she picked up during the sessions.

                             Jane Usher

A.S.P. Jane Usher, Director of Training, Belize Police Department

“They also gave us coping skills, coping techniques. But what was also very relevant to us was the self-care aspect. They taught us how to deal with our own mental health, how to de-stress and then also how to deliver this so that this training can be cascaded to the larger department. So it was a very total package that they put together for us.”

The training emphasized the use of de-escalation tactics over lethal force to preserve lives and avoid unnecessary injuries. Commander of the National Policing Unit, ACP Howell Gillett, believes this training is long overdue.

                         Howell Gillett

A.C.P Howell Gillett, Commander, National Community Policing Unit

“Too often, as we’ve seen in the past, we are troubled by the way we treat our people who are with mental illnesses. And sometimes in the past it has been even to the loss of life. And we don’t want that. So what we learn here this week, among other things we learn about de-escalation. Our officers respond to these scenes, how we protect ourselves and protect others, but importantly, how we treat victims with mental illnesses.”

National In-Service Training Coordinator Kenroy Elijio says the key takeaway is knowing how to recognize a mental health crisis in real time — because identifying the signs early can make all the difference in how a situation unfolds.

                        Kenroy Elijio

Insp. Kenroy Elijio, National In-Service Training Coordinator

“I learned, and it was emphasized and reemphasized that there is such a thing as mental illness. It’s a real issue. It exists and for most people, what would be considered as being mentally healthy is a state of well-being. Mentally. However, there is a spectrum that we looked at, which drifts all the way from being mentally healthy, and then it shows what happens when stress is added, which then moves up to distress. And then it ends up being a mental illness. One of the other things that I took away is that most mental illnesses can be treated and people can be on their way, but the key thing is to try to address it from its early stage and definitely get to the root of the problem.”

Another key component of the workshop was the importance of self-care. Officers were informed that suicide rates within law enforcement tend to spike higher than the general population, opening officers’ eyes to the stress factors that may be impacting their mental well-being.

                        Deshawn Cabral

Sgt. Deshawn Cabral, Instructor, Belize Police Training Academy

“ What really resonates with me was the topic under stress that had to do with a stress bucket. The stress bucket was just a visual that showed us different stressors that comes into the bucket that is filled. And the coping mechanisms were holes that were placed at the bottom of the bucket. So for example, if you have financial struggles, if you have family issues, if you have problems with management at work, those would be considered the stressors. However, the holes to the bottom were the coping mechanism, what you do to release those stressors. Those were sometimes for us police officers or us to take leave. Maybe to go on a vacation, to spend quality time with our families to do anything that will allow us to relax ourselves so that we can get back on that normal contingency before we move on.”

Officers were taught to handle instances of mental health crises by taking the time to regulate their own stress levels and properly assess the situation before acting. This training is a crucial step towards ensuring that remediable situations do not end in trauma nor tragedy. Britney Gordon for News Five.

The post Belize’s Learn How to Safely Respond to Mental Health Crises first appeared on Greater Belize Media.