As a boy growing up on the family islands of The Bahamas, that is Andros, Abaco, Eleuthera and Cat Island, I was always of a curious mindset. As I got older, this stayed with me. I embarked on a career in medicine, because I looked up to the doctors, I encountered who were truly making a difference in people’s lives.
It’s been said, that one’s health is one’s wealth. I believe that a society that is productive and rich in spirit, is one that embraces medical health as part of its overall agenda. I’m passionate about Psychiatry because I believe that the work, we do not only builds solid families but also builds healthy societies.
People who suffer with mental disorders and emotional difficulties that prevent them from functioning at their best, often don’t have access to the help they need. They usually suffer in silence or face discrimination when they finally find the courage to seek help. My work helps them to heal and positively integrate to their communities.
It is an exciting time for psychiatrists, as neuroscientists unlock more and more information about the biology of the brain. Psychiatrists are not only learning more about how it works, but how we can effectively treat people who desperately need our help.
My aim is to eventually remove the stigma and discrimination, that can be associated with receiving assistance for mental disorders and also increase the access to mental healthcare services.
I see a future where all people who have mental and emotional difficulties can feel empowered to seek and receive the highest quality of relevant healthcare that is available to them. I want us to better understand the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing and development, as a nation.