PM: "It is not only about taking care of the patients but also about caring for the families and the communities that are effected by Mental Illness"
The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams goffered words of welcome to the delegates and attendees to the Addiction and Psychiatry Congress on Transforming Care The congress symposium at the Westin Resort and Casino on Monday.
In her address the Prime Minister stated that, despite her returning from the Netherlands on Sunday, she thought it extremely important to attend at least part of the session on mental health and addiction and its treatment on St. Maarten and throughout the region. "I believe that it is important to let you know how pleased I am to welcome you here at this conference. I would like to express words of appreciation the Mental Health Foundation and to the Ministry of Health, Social Development and Labor and all other entities for making this conference possible here on St. Maarten. Yesterday after I returned from the Netherlands I was informed that a gentlemen that I know well was apprehended due to his mental health state and he was able to receive help for the condition. And so it is in this gathering that I see concrete steps being taken in providing care for the patients that can be faced with significant challenges. And indeed it is not only about taking care of the patients but also about caring for the families and the communities that are effected by Mental Illness," commented the Prime Minister.