British Virgin Islands – March 12, 2026 – The Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Unit of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has once again received regional recognition for its valiant work in the local community. This time the team will be presenting a research paper which focuses on youth mental health at the upcoming Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Health Research Conference.

The paper, entitled “Increased Emotional Resilience and Mental Well-being in Virgin Islands (UK) Youths through Early Therapeutic Intervention,” has been accepted for oral presentation at the 70th staging of the conference, hosted by CARPHA in April 2026.

The research highlights the impact of a school-based therapeutic intervention designed to support students between the ages of 7 and 17 across the Virgin Islands. The initiative was implemented by the Mental Health team in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports after concerns were raised about increasing behavioural and emotional challenges among students.

The programme engaged 116 students from schools on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke through structured therapeutic group sessions delivered over several months. The intervention focused on strengthening coping skills, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal communication.

Findings from the study revealed encouraging improvements in emotional resilience and reductions in anxiety symptoms among many participating students, alongside observable improvements in classroom behaviour, emotional expression, and overall wellbeing.

Dr. Virginia Rubaine, Director of the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Unit, said the initiative underscores the importance of early therapeutic support for young people.

“This programme demonstrates that when we intervene early and provide young people with the tools to understand and regulate their emotions, we can significantly improve their resilience and overall wellbeing. The acceptance of this research at the CARPHA Health Research Conference is a proud moment for our team and for the Virgin Islands, as it highlights the meaningful work being done to strengthen youth mental health across our schools and communities.”

The CARPHA Health Research Conference is the Caribbean’s premier scientific gathering for public health professionals, researchers, and policymakers. Selected abstracts from the conference are published in a supplement of the West Indian Medical Journal, further underscoring the academic significance of the work.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Dr. June Samuel extended kudos to the team and noted that initiatives such as this demonstrate the critical role of early intervention in strengthening emotional resilience among youth and preventing more serious mental health challenges later in life.

Participation in the CARPHA conference also provides an opportunity for the Virgin Islands to share its experiences, learn from regional partners, and contribute to advancing mental health care across the Caribbean.