The government of Antigua and Barbuda has acquired a six-acre property in Seaview Farm to address the country’s growing need for improved mental health services. Announced during Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s 2025 Budget presentation, the facility will be retrofitted to provide modern, integrative care for individuals requiring mental health treatment.
“Our government recognizes the importance of mental wellness as part of a comprehensive healthcare strategy,” Browne said. “This new facility will deliver improved services and signal a strengthened focus on behavioral issues and mental health care in Antigua and Barbuda.”
The acquisition of the Seaview Farm property, at a cost of $8.1 million, marks a significant step forward in the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure. The facility will be designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals experiencing mental health challenges, offering a range of therapeutic and rehabilitative services.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of providing a safe, modern environment for those needing care. “This facility will set a new standard for mental health services in our country, ensuring that vulnerable members of our society receive the support they need,” he stated.
Mental health services in Antigua and Barbuda have long been identified as an area requiring additional resources and attention. The new facility is expected to alleviate pressure on existing healthcare infrastructure while creating a dedicated space for mental wellness.
The retrofitted center will feature specialized spaces for therapy, counseling, and rehabilitation. It will also integrate community outreach programs to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues.
The establishment of the mental health facility aligns with the government’s broader strategy to strengthen healthcare services across the nation. Recent investments have included the construction of a new Renal Centre and upgrades to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. The addition of a dedicated mental health facility underscores the government’s focus on providing holistic care for its citizens.
Prime Minister Browne highlighted the facility’s role in addressing the broader social implications of untreated mental health issues. “Improving mental wellness is critical to building a harmonious and productive society,” he said.
The facility is expected to play a transformative role in the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health challenges. It will provide access to care for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, as well as support for individuals with severe psychiatric needs.
Additionally, the project will create job opportunities for healthcare professionals and support staff, contributing to local economic development. Training programs are expected to be introduced to equip workers with the skills necessary to deliver high-quality mental health services.
As work on retrofitting the Seaview Farm property begins, the government is optimistic about the facility’s potential to address gaps in mental health care and improve overall health outcomes. The initiative reflects a commitment to addressing the nation’s evolving healthcare needs and ensuring that no segment of the population is left behind.
“This new facility is not just an investment in healthcare infrastructure—it is an investment in our people,” Browne said. “We are taking a proactive approach to mental health, ensuring that every citizen has access to the support and care they deserve.”
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This is a positive I must say is commendable, but don’t let officials go there and steal out what’s leave there by the owners, stripping the building because it’s too good to give to the people. I know how bad minded our black people can be because they came up in poverty and underprivileged they can’t stand someone else doing better than them, a symptom of past slavery.
Where are the Mental Health Advocates to voice their opinion, on this poorly taught out venture, for plans of relocating our Mental Health Facility, far beyond the reach of our main healthcare facilities, as if we attempting to hide them away from the public, these unfortunate individuals, to this remote location. This we all can remember was done long ago, with our leprosy patients, hiding them away down at Cove, at the far western tip of Jennings Village.
One would contend, that with today’s enlightened approach to healthcare and Gaston Browne pledge to delivering a proper facility to take care of our mentally challenged citizens in his Budget pronouncements, one would envisages, that a well taught out and Aesthetically Pleasing Designed, Purpose Built Facilitity, would be highly anticipated and expected, based on his assumption, but not so at all.
This structure which was initially designed for a different purpose all together, will be almost impossible to provide the necessary requirements, for a modern day Mental Health Facility.
Apart from this, how sound is the infrastructure of this old steel frame facility, that was once used by the Jehovah’s Witnesses Congratulation, for so many decades.
To be investing over 8.1 Million Dollars to purchase this structure and God knows, that it will takes over that same amount and even more monies, to Retrofit this facility to becoming a modern integrated healthcare system and a part of the comprehensive healthcare strategy, according to our Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
The Prime Minister declared, that this is a proactive move by his Government, in meeting the diverse needs of individuals, experiencing Mentalhealth Issues.
Some how this situation reminds me very of when the former administration, Retrofited an old Container with an additional structure added on, to be used as the Five Islands Clinic, which I can remember, was then seriously taken to task by the Labour Party Opposition Members, at that particular time.
Unlike the Deluxe Cinema Building, that was bought to assist a good Comrade several years ago, while nothing was ever done with this structure, after so many grand pronouncements were given, as to it’s Retrofitting and use of it, which had never materialise after so many years, and I do not wish to mention all the plans that were earmark for this building.
I do hope, that unlikely the Deluxe Building, this Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall Building, will not suffers the same faith and remains an empty shell for years to come.
I am surprised that not a Drum was heard from these so called Mental Health Advocates, whom sleep and dream and talks everyday about Mental Health, especially those whom were long advocating for a purpose built Facility, for meeting all the needs and requirements, to address modern day training and techniques, used in the delivering of a high standard of Mental Health Care to our citizens, and not some kind of forty odd year old refurbished structure.