Clifford Heyliger – AVP
ORANJESTAD (AAN): Parliamentarian Clifford Heyliger (AVP) is drawing urgent attention to the rising mental health concerns in Aruba, especially among young people, where cases of depression, anxiety, and tragic incidents of suicide are becoming increasingly common. According to Heyliger, mental health must be treated with the same urgency as physical health, and Aruba cannot afford delays in implementing a clear and structured national strategy.
During his address, Heyliger emphasized that Aruba lacks strong programs for early detection of mental health issues. His main questions to the Minister of Health focused on whether Aruba currently has a national mental health plan, how it is being implemented and monitored, and whether existing programs are adequate to meet the rapidly changing social realities. He stressed that many families, schools, and community groups do not have the tools or support needed to identify mental health warning signs early—signs that could prevent more serious situations later.
Heyliger also raised concerns about the availability of mental health professionals. He noted that Aruba is seeing a continuous rise in demand for psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers, yet it remains unclear whether the island has enough capacity to treat all cases with dignity and efficiency. He expressed regret that many individuals are left without help at critical moments simply because resources are lacking.
Another major point of concern is the situation in schools, where mental health challenges among youth are becoming more frequent. Heyliger wants to know how prepared schools are to recognize early warning signs and what kind of structural psychological support is available. He insisted that schools play a fundamental role in prevention, and without continuous support systems, many young people risk falling through the cracks.
In the workplace, Heyliger sees another growing challenge. Burnout, work-related stress, and prolonged absences due to mental health issues are costing the country a significant amount economically. However, it is unclear whether a national study exists to measure the true impact.
Heyliger concluded with a powerful message:
“Mental health cannot remain a taboo in our society. Our people—especially our youth—deserve protection, guidance, and a dignified system of care. This situation is urgent, and Aruba must take this issue seriously before more lives end tragically in ways that could have been prevented.”
Photo Credit : https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/general/preocupacion-creciente-riba-salud-mental-ta-pidi-accion-nacional-inmediato
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