PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has called for mental health to remain a national priority after the Mental Health Foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of service to the people of Sint Maarten.
Speaking at the Council of Ministers press briefing on October 14, Mercelina said he attended the foundation’s anniversary event on Friday, October 9, and delivered remarks.
He congratulated its board, management, staff and stakeholders for their contribution to the organization’s work.
“As a medical professional … and of course now as Prime Minister, I firmly believe that mental health must remain a national priority,” he said.
Recognition raises the question of follow-through
The Prime Minister’s statement places mental health among the country’s national concerns. His prepared remarks, however, did not announce additional funding, expanded services, staffing measures or a new implementation timetable.
The anniversary provided an opportunity to acknowledge the foundation’s service. It also raises a practical question for government: how will decisions and support reflect the stated priority?
A declaration of national importance becomes meaningful through the measures that follow it. Future government updates will need to explain what that commitment means for the institutions delivering care and the people seeking assistance.
Emergency personnel also recognized
Mercelina separately praised the Fire and Ambulance Departments after their October 12 open house in Cay Hill, themed “Think Green and Think Safety.”
He said he attended the event and was impressed by the personnel’s professionalism, engagement, and efforts to organize community activities.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the organization behind an emergency response.
“For us, it’s just picking up the phone, calling them, and just expecting them to be there,” he said, explaining that considerable work takes place behind that expectation.
His comments recognized that reliable public services depend on more than the moment residents see an ambulance or fire crew arrive.
Public appreciation must have practical value
The Prime Minister’s remarks acknowledged the people and organizations providing essential services, from mental healthcare to emergency response.
The next question is how the government will support that recognition in practice.
For mental health in particular, Mercelina has stated the principle clearly: it must remain a national priority. The public will now look to the government’s subsequent decisions to see how it carries that priority forward.
