The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) has received the final draft of Sint Maarten’s 2025–2035 mental health vision and strategic plan, titled “Stronger Minds, Stronger Communities.” The document lays out a decade-long roadmap toward a more inclusive, resilient, and person-centered mental health system for the island.
Developed under the Mental Health Project (MHP) and funded by the Trust Fund, the draft was created in collaboration with the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), the Trimbos Institute of the Netherlands, and local mental health stakeholders.
Minister of VSA, Hon. Richinel Brug, praised the collaborative effort, stating that the plan marks “an important milestone” and sets a clear direction for future mental health improvements in Sint Maarten. The Ministry will now review the draft to ensure it aligns with national priorities and community needs.
More than two years of consultations shaped the plan, with input from mental health providers, medical professionals, NGOs, educators, community representatives, and persons with lived experience.
The plan is organized around four strategic pillars:
Network of Support – Linking community, primary, and specialist mental health services.
Start Well, Stay Well – Prioritizing prevention and early intervention at every life stage.
Mental Health in All Policies – Ensuring strong governance, sustainable financing, and rights-based legislation.
Learning and Evaluation – Using data, digital tools, and feedback for continuous improvement.
Once reviewed, the Ministry will finalize and adopt Stronger Minds, Stronger Communities as Sint Maarten’s official mental health policy for the next decade.
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