NEMA Highlights Critical Link Between Disaster Preparedness and Mental Health for World Mental Health Day
Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis – October 7, 2025 – The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) today announced its comprehensive participation in the observance of World Mental Health Day
on October 10, 2025, emphasising the theme: “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and
Emergencies.”
NEMA recognises that the emotional toll of crises — from hurricanes and floods to public health
emergencies — is as devastating as the physical damage. For NEMA, including psychosocial care in the
national plan is not secondary, but foundational: it ensures the psychological safety and capacity of
individuals to fully participate in their own recovery, directly enabling the transition from disaster to
sustained resilience. This critical perspective frames all NEMA’s related activities during this observance.
National Disaster Coordinator, Mr. Livingston Pemberton, spoke to the significance of the theme stating
that this year’s focus on mental health in catastrophes and emergencies resonated deeply with NEMA’s
core mission.
“We recognize that true recovery begins not only with rebuilding physical structures, but with healing the
minds and spirits of our people. Integrating psychosocial support into our disaster preparedness and
response strategies is how we ensure our communities have the emotional resilience to cope, heal, and
rebuild effectively in the face of adversity. Mental health support is, quite simply, a lifeline in a disaster,”
Mr. Pemberton added.
To effectively mark the day and embed this vital perspective, NEMA is undertaking several key
collaborations:
- Community-Based Mental Health Engagement and Digital Outreach: NEMA is partnering
with the St. Kitts Mental Health Association (SKMHA) to conduct community walk-throughs and
utilize NEMA’s digital reach to share critical information. NEMA will use its social media
platforms and established WhatsApp Broadcast lists to disseminate informative infographics
prepared by SKMHA. These materials highlight key mental health services, coping strategies, and
emergency support mechanisms available during and after disasters, strengthening community
resilience through informed engagement. NEMA is also working with District Volunteers to hand
out printed versions of the infographics, as well as disaster preparedness material by engaging
directly with residents in selected communities to raise awareness, answer questions and provide
guidance on accessing mental health support during emergencies. - Special Feature in Lifelines Magazine: NEMA is contributing a featured article titled “Disaster
Response Must Include Mental Health – Here’s Why” to the National Counselling Centre’s (NCC)
online magazine, Lifelines. This contribution outlines the evidence and rationale for treating
mental and psychosocial needs as a core component of emergency management. - Special Edition of “From Danger to Safety”: NEMA will air a special edition of its public
programme, “From Danger to Safety” featuring the Deputy Director of the National Counselling
Centre, Mrs. Valencia Smithen-Byron, who is also a Clinical Counsellor. The episode will focus
on the essential role of mental health in both disaster response and ongoing preparedness efforts.
“From Danger to Safety” airs every Tuesday on ZIZ radio at 1:00 p.m., on ZIZ television at 8:00
p.m., and is also available on NEMA’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
NEMA urges all government officials, health providers, school staff, and community leaders to join in
these efforts, stressing that investing in evidence and community-based interventions is the most
sustainable way to build long-term community resilience.