MHC open doors to new office in Saba

Acting Island Governor Shamara Amelia” Nicholson-Linzey (left) and Cassandra Labasti (second left) cutting the ribbon to officially open MHC’s new office on Saba, as MHC Ex­ecutive Director Kathelijne van den Boogert (second right) and MHC Manager. for St. Eu­statius and Saba Jacco Vaders (right) look on.

Mental Health Ca­ribbean (MHC) held a fes­tive opening ceremony for its new office in Saba on Sep­tember.

The opening took place at 11 Samuel Charles Street in The Bottom. All members of the MHC team from Saba and St. Eustatius where pres­ent to celebrate the moment, together with representatives from various organisations on the island, including Act­ing Island Governor Sha­mara “Amelia” Nicholson­-Linzey.

Representing MHC were Executive Director Katheli­jne van den Boogert, manag­er for St. Eustatius and Saba Jacco Vaders, psychiatrist Niels van Kampen, and man­ager of operations and prop­erty Tom Hunting.

Cassandra Labasti, MHC’s senior social-psychiatric nurse in Saba, opened the gathering and welcomed the guests. Van den Boogert spoke about the importance of high-quality and accessible mental health care on the island, and Labasti received special rec­ognition for her extra dedica­tion to the new office.

Vaders then introduced the team and spoke about the development of MHC in Saba. When MHC be­gan operations in Saba in 2013, there was only one staff member and no office of their own. Today, there is a team of three to four staff members who work daily to provide mental health care on the island.

Nicholson-Linzey also ad­dressed attendees. She cut the ribbon with Labasti, offi­cially opening the new build­ing.

After the opening, guests had the opportunity to tour the new building and enjoy some food and drinks.

“With the new facility at 11 Samuel Charles Street in The Bottom, MHC is taking the next step in the develop­ment of mental health care on Saba,” MHC said in a press release. “From this new office, the team can continue its work and further build ac­cessible and appropriate care and support for the residents of Saba.”

The Daily Herald.