Antigua and Barbuda – WFDD 2025 Highlights
Theme: Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World
Antigua and Barbuda, a twin-island nation known for its turquoise waters and warm hospitality, is also home to a vibrant medical community committed to advancing primary health care. At the heart of this commitment are the nation’s family doctors and general practitioners — highly skilled professionals who provide comprehensive, continuous, and compassionate care to patients of all ages.
The country’s healthcare system is a blend of public and private sectors, with family doctors serving on the front lines in both urban clinics and rural health centres. Their work spans preventive care, chronic disease management, maternal and child health, and increasingly, mental health support — an area gaining urgent attention in today’s fast-changing world.
On World Family Doctor Day 2025, Antigua and Barbuda joined the global celebration under the theme:
“Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World.”
Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World – A Family Physician’s Perspective
As a family physician and health care provider for the past twenty years, the theme “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World” speaks directly to the heart of our role in navigating uncertainty—both for ourselves and our patients. The world around us is evolving rapidly, with shifting socio-economic landscapes, public health challenges, climate-related stressors, and digital overload. These changes profoundly impact mental well-being, making resilience not just a concept, but a necessary tool for survival and growth.
To me, mental resilience means the ability to adapt, recover, and maintain balance in the face of adversity. It is not about the absence of stress or struggle, but rather the presence of strength, adaptability, hope and the ability to cope without distractions from one’s normal life. In a time when burnout and emotional fatigue are prevalent among both patients and healthcare professionals, cultivating resilience is not only essential, but critical.
In my daily practice, I incorporate the principles of mental resilience through empathetic listening, creating a safe space for open dialogue, and reinforcing self-care as a pillar of health. I guide patients in recognizing their strengths, building coping strategies, and accessing support systems. Whether through brief mindfulness techniques, promoting community engagement, or encouraging work-life balance, I aim to empower individuals to regain control amidst chaos. To do this, I had to be proactive in equipping myself with the relevant training, through certifications as a mental health provider and trainer of trainers in psychosocial support and psychological first aid. Moreover, I had to be an exemplary leader by forging mental health resilience into my own psychological construct. I, therefore, prioritize my own well-being through reflection, peer support, and maintaining boundaries, acknowledging that I must care for myself before I can care effectively for others.
Within my community, I advocate for mental health education, protection gender and inclusion, and de- stigmatization, recognizing that resilience is not built in isolation. These aims are pursued within my personal capacity as well as in my capacity as the President of the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society.
In this changing world, our greatest tool is our humanity. By fostering mental resilience, we not only support recovery but help our patients and communities thrive. As we celebrate World Family doctor Day 2025, let this theme serve as a timely reminder that in the face of uncertainty, we can choose to be anchors of strength, compassion, and continuity. Blessed Love!
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