Since February, 2010 the Mental Health Foundation has been encouraging active involvement of caregivers in the developments of Mental Health Care on St. Maarten.
In 2011 Posters were placed at all GP offices, and mailings were sent out inviting care givers to information sessions about the illnesses and care needs of their loved ones.
MHF promotes Holistic care, meaning that as much as possible all aspects of the patients life is taken into consideration. To provide for Holistic care continuity of care must be made available to the patients and clients. MHF since the opening in October 2011 was finally able to provide for all aspects of psychiatric care.
Since October 2011, patients in a crisis no longer needed to be treated in a Police cell and the brought to the prison after which flown to Curaçao. In Curaçao the patient was treated without the involvement of the family and then returned to St. Maarten. Since October 2011 no patient has been sent to Curaçao.
On Monday October 29, 2012 the Caregivers are now informed by the foundation of the Ministers intention to move part of the treatment to the Turning Point. Crisis intervention and Admission is likely to take place in Turning Point in the near future. Consideration for continuity of care and the opinion of the caregivers seems to be lacking in the entire process.
Family members have now formed a committee, who will approach the minister on this matter.
