Jamaican American comedian JulieMango, who currently lives and creates her famous comedic sketches from her home in Kansas City, Missouri, shares her mental health journey and advice for anyone suffering and those who love them.
The Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) the Pacific has transitioned out of La Niña and ocean temperatures around the Caribbean are expected to be close to average
La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, compared to El Niño, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures
“This makes it difficult to forecast unusual climate conditions as the Caribbean transitions into the wet season,” CariCOF said in its latest Caribbean Climate Outlook Newsletter released here on Tuesday
It said nevertheless, long-term drought concerns are rising in parts of Cuba, while the effects of frequent dry spells across the Islands
and Belize will likely continue, with a peak in wild fire potential and Saharan dust intrusions
“There is a likelihood of heatwaves in Belize, Cuba, Jamaica and Trinidad from April, and from May elsewhere in the Islands By contrast, the potential for flooding, flash floods and cascading hazards will increase to moderate or high into May,” CariCOf added
It said current severe (or worse) short term drought has developed in southeast Cuba, eastern Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica and severe (or worse) long term drought has developed in Haiti, and St Vincent
“Long term drought might possibly develop
or continue in Barbados, northern Belize, Eastern Cuba, southern Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Tobago Areas ending up in long term drought by the end of May are likely to experience lower than usual water levels in large reservoirs, large rivers and groundwater ”
CariCOF said that short-term drought situation by the end of June 2023 might possibly develop in the Northern Bahamas, Barbados, northern Belize, Grand Cayman, Eastern and Western Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, eastern Jamaica, western Puerto Rico, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI)
This week, the son of legendary, Emmy Award-winning Jamaican American actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, made news for his handsomeness after his mother shared a photo of him on social media. Her post blew up, with thousands of women responding with a variety of suggestive comments, and news outlets sharing the story
Despite the frivolous fanfare, Ralph’s son, whose name is Etienne Maurice, is anything but shallow
Maurice was born in Los Angeles to Ralph and her then husband, Eric Maurice, who is Afro-European, hailing from the Ivory Coast Etienne Maurice is 31-years-old and still lives in Los Angeles, where he is an entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, filmmaker, actor, activist, and yoga instructor
Dedicated to using his creative passions for social change, Maurice says his mission is to build his community in the virtual and physical space through film, health, and wellness He formed his nonprofit, WalkGood LA - one of LA’s largest wellness organizationsin 2020, after being outraged by the injustices against Black and Brown people
“When Ahmaud Arbery was killed, I was really frustrated and anxious,” Maurice told the LA Sentinel in a 2022 interview “He was running in his own neighborhood, he looked like me, he was doing things that I would do in my community and was murdered in the middle of the street I was wondering why no
one out there was coming together
We were in limbo trying to figure out if we should protest or stay home
Then after George Floyd [was killed]
I decided I had to do something So
I’d attend other people’s protests and I felt something, but I also believed I
could do it myself, I could bring people together ” These experiences, Maurice revealed, spawned the birth of WalkGood LA
Along with social activism and art initiatives, WalkGood LA also hosts wellness activities such as runs, hikes,
healing circles and yoga sessions, some led by Maurice himself Many of these sessions see upwards of 200 people in attendance
Maurice’s for-profit business, WalkGood Productions is an independent film and television production company that creates stories that inspire, inform, and entertain “At WalkGood, we pride ourselves on building communities through storytelling, telling local stories on the world stage, and growing together as filmmakers every step of the way Our name stems from an old Jamaican proverb for integrity, character, and good fortune,” the company ’ s bio explains
This past weekend, WalkGood Productions wrapped the latest edition of FilmGood, its quarterly film and wellness festival for underrepresented filmmakers
Through these projects Maurice partners with his sister, Ivy-Victoria Maurice, and cousin, Marley Ralph, to help bring healing to the community His passion for these causes are fueled by his own pain and trauma, he says He is open about experiencing a mental health crisis, suffering a traumatic brain injury, and surviving gun violence - in hopes of connecting with his community and helping people find liberation within their pain
“That’s what it’s about, being able to turn your pain into purpose It does no one any good when you sit in that pain and wallow in anger and frustration Think about how you can be a blessing to someone and how you ’ re able to show gratitude for being alive,” Maurice told the LA Sentinel
This week’s social media buzz around Maurice’s good looks has already brought increased attention to his organization and causes, with his community growing dramatically within hours
The telecommunications company, Digicel, on Monday announced that it has transitioned its Trinidad Consumer Contact Centre to a consolidated regional center of excellence in Jamaica, resulting in more than 100 workers being retrenched
“As a company, we are forever grateful for the contributions of our Contact Centre agents and recognize their commitment to providing excellent service as our customers’ first point of contact,” said Digicel’s chief executive officer, Abraham Smith, confirming the move that has resulted in 126 workers being retrenched
Smith said that it is no secret that the Call Centre has been the “heartbeat of our customer operations for 17 years, with many people throughout the business starting their journey there
“It has been a great source of energy and vibrancy for the company and we will work toward keeping that spirit alive in all that we do,” he said, acknowledging that “while this decision was not taken lightly, we firmly believe that this move will benefit our customers and the company in the long run, as this consolidation will streamline our operations and reduce cost, which will ultimately help us to continue to be a competitive and sustainable business”
In a statement announcing the retrenchment, Digicel said it has engaged several third-party customer contact center operators and is in discussions with them to absorb the affected employees into their operations in the coming weeks
It said that its Regional Corporate Contact Centre will be consolidated as well, into a center of excellence based here and that
the retrenched employees will be treated fairly and with respect
It said the former workers will be supported through their transition with expanded Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services, and special transition workshops on resume writing, interview skills, and financial management amongst other initiatives
Cuba holds National Assembly elections Sunday, but there are only 470 candidates running for the 470 seats, with no opposition challengers and no campaigning
Voters essentially will do no more than endorse the nominated slate of candidates
The polling held every five years technically is nonpartisan, but falls under the indirect control of the country’s true power under the constitution, the ruling Communist Party
Half of the candidates come from municipal assemblies chosen in local elections last November
The other half are nominated by groups representing broad swaths of society — such as a women ’ s group and workers unions All are vetted by election committees with ties to the party Cuba’s establishment says the system is inclusive and builds unity, while steering clear of the divisiveness of party politics or any ill effects of big-money donors
The outcome may be a foregone conclusion, but one indicator that will be closely watched is how many voters abstain from the process
The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) says the US-based budget airline, JetBlue will add additional service to the island in time for its biggest cultural festival, Spicemas
From August 7 to September 1, 2023, the carrier will operate a second daily nonstop flight, a 162-seat A320, leaving New York’s John F Kennedy (JFK) airport at 9:50 pm and arriving at Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) at 2:47 am
The returning flight departs GND at 5:01 am and arrives at JFK at 9:57 am
JetBlue currently offers daily nonstop service from New York, and American Airlines
offers a daily nonstop flight from Miami, along with a seasonal weekly flight from Charlotte on Saturdays
Also, in line with the uptick in family travel to the destination, JetBlue has increased capacity on its regular service, from an A320 to the 200-seater A321, for the entire summer peak period from June 15 to September 5
“We’re thrilled to welcome this expanded service from JetBlue, offering travelers more options to come to Grenada,” said Tourism Minister Lennox Andrews
“JetBlue has always been a committed partner and we expect a surge in bookings, as
this service allows the destination and our stakeholders the opportunity to welcome even more visitors for Spicemas and showcase how Grenada honors its culture and why we ’ re truly the Spice Isle of the Caribbean ”
“The USA is the largest tourism market for Grenada and continues to perform exceptionally well In 2022, the USA closed off the year 2% over 2019 Currently, Jan-Feb 2023, the market is up 19% over the same period in 2019 and 3% over for the same period in 2022 Grenada continues to remain committed to US tourism growth and most recently welcomed a new sales manager in New York, Shanai St
Bernard,” said the CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, Petra Roach
According to a Grenada 473 Connect Ambassador, Margaret Hector –the initiative is an excellent one on JetBlue‘s part to add a redeye flight from JFK to Grenada for the Spicemas season
“It brings into consideration the people who are avid carnival lovers and need to work during the day, or for those thinking of a lastminute weekend getaway It speaks a lot about the love for our country, our cultural celebrations, and our strong diaspora community in the New York City area,” she said
rate, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure
It can also lead to hypothermia (elevated body temperature), convulsions, and violent behavior In cases of an overdose, if not treated immediately, persons are likely to die
However, Abrahams pointed out that meth use and its misuse went beyond the devastating effects on individual health, as it also impacted poor communities, causing new waves of crime, unemployment, child neglect or abuse, and other social problems
The United States Department of State on Tuesday published a Final Rule regarding increases to certain non-immigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees for Caribbean and other visitors The increases, published Tuesday in the US Federal Register, will become effective on May 30, 2023
The State Department said the fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition-based NIVs, such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from US$160 to US$185
The fee for certain petition-based non-immigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from US$190 to US$205, the State Department said, adding that the fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from US$205 to US$315
The State Department also said that the increased fees affect the Border Crossing Card (BCC) for Mexican citizens age 15 and over
Barbados has recorded its first case of methamphetamine (meth) and health authorities are warning members of the public to avoid the drug at all costs since it could lead to their death.
Methamphetamine, a strong and highly addictive drug, is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is mainly used as a recreational drug and less commonly as a second-line treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity
Home Affairs and Information Minister, Wilfred Abrahams, who confirmed the presence of the on the island, described meth as a
“serious situation” that is of great concern to the authorities
Abrahams flanked by the Director of Forensic Sciences Centre (FSC), Cheryl Corbin; Senior Registrar at the Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Ronald Chase, and Senior Superintendent of Police, Anthony Warner, said the drug “takes the form of a white odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol
“Meth is extremely harmful,” Abrahams said, reiterating that it was also illegal
He said that meth acts like a stimulant, and even in small doses, could increase wakefulness, and physical activity, and can decrease appetite In addition, the drug is also known to cause cardiovascular problems, including rapid heart
Senior Superintendent Warner said while there were “ some challenges with border security” the police were doing their best to identify the sources, the routes, and trends that people would employ to get the drugs into the country
He noted that as recently as March 15, a quantity of meth was intercepted in San Juan en route from Canada to Barbados He said that Barbados would be seen as a transshipment point to move drugs from the source country to the intended country
“Any information, regardless of how small or insignificant you might think that information is, it might be the one piece that we need to fit into a bigger picture to solve the problem that we have,” the Senior Superintendent said
Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi says the presence of military troops from overseas is not intended to keep his administration in office as well as to help the government deal with a spate of protests in recent months
“The social media machine in Suriname is running perfectly, I can say that One of the reports was that the government had called in the assistance of the Dutch army to ensure that no demonstrations would take place Assistance for maintaining order,” President Chandrikapersad Santaokhi said as more than 200 Dutch and American soldiers arrived here to participate in the jungle training in the Ayoko Barracks in the Para district
Last Thursday, the government and the business community said they would not accept a repeat of ‘February 17’ when protesters stormed the National Assembly and looted several businesses
So far, 112 persons suspected of gross and violent looting, theft, vandalism and sedition have been identified and taken into custody
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On January 1, 1976, the UN launched the “United Nations Decade for Women” programme seeking to fast-track equal rights and opportunities for women around the world Focusing on the central role of women in development, the decade helped to establish the legitimacy of women ’ s issues in the home, in business and as human beings It also helped to highlight the many persistent inequalities facing women in many spheres of life
After nearly 50 years, we have come a long way, but many challenges remain, especially for women of African descent who continue to face the intersecting, dehumanizing legacy of racism, sexism, ethic and gender discrimination, as well as harmful, archaic African traditions Today, we can celebrate and take pride in the achievements of several women of African descent who have shattered the glass ceiling and opened new opportunities for others We can also celebrate gender-based legislation and policies that have improved the lives of women and girls, as well as men and boys While we celebrate, we continue to fight for our sisters still trapped in inter-generational cycles of gender-based violence (GBV), female genital mutilation and more But, we must also continue to create new opportunities that can improve the lives of women, enhance social and economic development and create a better world
The Caribbean and the Americas have had a long, outstanding tradition of trailblazing
women of African descent whose shoulders we stand on today, including: Freedom fighters Nanny of the Maroons (Jamaica) and Victoria Montou (Haiti), Prime Minister Eugenia Charles (Dominica), US Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm (parents from Guyana & Barbados), Actress Cicely Tyson (parents from Nevis), ‘Queen of Salsa’ Celia Cruz (Cuba), Madam C J Walker (Louisiana, USA), Rosa Parks (Tuskegee, Alabama) and many more
Their brave, pioneering work in various fields have opened many doors for Kamala Harris, Mia Mottley, Rihanna, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and others In so doing, they have created the foundation for a grand rising of women in the Caribbean, the Americas, Africa and the African Diaspora While these and other trailblazers lead and continue to open doors, many are constrained by fear, self-doubt, persistent gender discrimination, GBV, limited assets, climate challenges, as well as narrow lenses that often distort the full vision of the opportunities today and in the future
Tremendous opportunities are emerging, and new frontiers are being pursued by bold, pioneering women who have widened their lens and deepened their relationships regionally and globally, especially across the continent of Africa With the historic development of the African Union (AU) in 2002, countless opportunities exist for determined and courageous African women and those in the African Diaspora to forge cultural, business, professional and other kinds of relationships
The AU’s Vision 2063 – a master plan for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse –provides a strategic Pan-African framework for inclusive and sustainable development to enable unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity This longterm, 50-year development trajectory envisions an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on empowered women and youths
With education, equal economic rights and supportive institutions, empowered African women will have more opportunities to own and inherit property, manage innovative businesses, create new industries and benefit from trade and investment opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) Together with their brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, African women can be strengthened to effectively engage the world’s largest free trade area bringing together the 55 AU countries and eight (8) Regional Economic Communities into a single market of approximately 1 4 billion people This includes actively addressing the logistical and other challenges that limits the potential of this gigantic market
Women in the Caribbean and Africa should note the estimated $1bn export potential for goods and services between the Caribbean and Africa According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Caribbean can increase its goods exports to Africa by almost one-third to reach $264m annually
continues on B3 – The Grand Rise
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, Professor Rosalea Hamilton shares her thoughts on the opportunities for women across the Caribbean and African diasporas.
The World Food Program (WFP) is warning that a growing crisis is pushing a higher number of people into hunger in Haiti.
“Haiti can’t wait,” said Jean-Martin Bauer, WFP Country Director for the French-speaking Caribbean country
“We cannot wait for the scale of the problem to be expressed in deaths before the world responds, but that is where we are heading ”
According to the new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis, half the population, estimated at 4 9 million, is now struggling to access food
The findings reveal a substantial increase in the number of severely hungry people in Haiti, with the number tripling since 2016
Eight out of ten Haitians are currently spending less on meals, and the country is among the top ten most affected by food price inflation, according to the World Bank
WFP said farmers have been forced to reduce areas sown due to the high cost of seeds and fertilizers at a time when the spread of armed groups has plagued rural areas with violence
“The multiple emergencies are having a significant impact on the health and nutrition of Haitian children who have limited access to nutritious food Mal-nourishment is compromising their immunity, making them vulnerable to diseases like cholera, and causing other lifelong health issues including poor cognitive development,” the WFP said, adding that nearly one million children are out of school in Haiti
The State Department in the United States says that it has been notified of the kidnapping of two US citizens who were on a trip to visit family
due to insecurity and other factors
Sustained humanitarian aid has managed to support the most vulnerable communities in Cité Soleil, an area of the capital city of Port-auPrince However, WFP said its operations are underfunded and compromised, and require US$125 million over the next six months
“It is critical that both life-saving food assistance keeps reaching the most vulnerable Haitians and resilience and safety-net initiatives continue being prioritized so we can address the root causes of hunger,” Bauer said
“We desperately need an increase in funding and political will to be mobilized The world cannot wait for a big disaster before it acts ”
Bauer said WFP’s focus remains on strengthening national social protection and food systems that are critical to Haiti’s recovery efforts and development
“While it is certain that life-saving assistance is an urgent need, building long-term resilience for the people of Haiti needs to be a top priority,” he said
It’s reported that Abigail Toussaint and Jean-Dickens Toussaint, both 33, from the state of Florida, were taken near the capital Port-au-Prince and have been held for days
The couple was reportedly kidnapped during a bus ride
“We are aware of reports of two U S citizens missing in Haiti,” said a spokesperson from the State Department
“When a U S citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families however we can ”
In the aftermath of the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, gangs have grown in strength , with large portions of the capital and other areas considered lawless territory
Jamaica’s Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson says investigations are ongoing into last week’s multibillion-dollar heist at an automated teller machine in the central parish of St Catherine
Speaking at a recent function in the Corporate Area, Anderson promised that the police will soon make a breakthrough in the armed robbery on March 19, which left five persons wounded, including four security guards and a licensed firearm holder
According to Antony Anderson, the suspects have been detained in relation to the incident, and “we should have some good breakthroughs in the near future ”
The Commissioner also signaled that changes are coming with regard to the handling of large amounts of cash by security guards
He said there should be uniformity in the procedures for security guards who transport cash, and accordingly, members of the security industry will collectively develop new standards, which will then be
The Banana Board is urging Jamaican farmers to implement measures to protect their holdings against the TR4 disease even though the disease has not yet been detected in any Caribbean country
TR4 disease, which is also known as Fusarium odoratissimum, is a threat to commercial varieties of the local banana, plantain, and ornamental Heliconia crops
“It is not in Jamaica and it is not yet in the Caribbean but in 2019 it came to South America to Colombia and it stayed there for a while In 2021, it moved from Colombia to Peru and in January 2023, just two months ago, it jumped into Venezuela,” said Banana Board general manager, Janet Conie
further discussed with the police, who will then h into how the whole operation of the movement o cash is going to take place ”
He said the standards will also be discussed w Bankers Association, in order to ensure a comm and approach to the challenge
Commissioner Anderson has asserted that it i a sense of optimism as Jamaica charts its way th
“The force is in a good place and is only gett said of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). “O growing from strength to strength. It has been p a force for good in many ways, and as I moved a the country over the December period, I got a re appreciation of how many lives we have impacte positively ” Anderson was speaking at the commissioner’s annual devotional exercise, which was held on Tuesday morning under the theme ‘Relentless Pursuit of Excellence: A Force for Good’
She said that the disease has the real danger or potential to wipe out the entire industry and that the TR4 is a soil-borne fungal disease that can stay in the soil for 30 years for which there is no cure and no resistant commercial varieties
“What we need to do is to keep it out What happens when it comes is that it spreads in the soil, in water, on tools and equipment, and by people moving We are very concerned that it is in Venezuela because the traffic between Venezuela and Trinidad is real and the traffic between Jamaica and Trinidad is very real,” she added
With the potential effects of the TR4, farmers are being encouraged to ramp up border security, farm biosecurity, as well as diagnostic and surveillance measures, which are critical to preventing the spread of the disease
“We are motivating our farmers to secure their farms in Jamaica. We are telling them to fence them and put footpaths for persons that come on the farms, that they walk in these footpaths and to disinfect their shoes,” Mrs Conie said, noting that the Banana Board is also encouraging Jamaicans who travel to be mindful of their movements in countries where the TR4 is present
“Anybody can bring it in if they are unaware of what they do If you go to a South American country now, into a banana field, we ask you not to bring your clothes and shoes back, because you may bring it inadvertently,” Mrs Conie said
So far, the Banana Board has been working to strengthen the industry against the threat of the disease
“We have been preparing We have varieties that are not so commercial but are fairly resistant and we have been multiplying those in Jamaica, so we have something for food security should we be affected,” she added
It is funny that the world would have come to know me by my nickname, affectionately given to me by my dad Basil Bodley; that name being “JulieMango”. I hid behind the name JulieMango during my “meteoric rise to social media stardom” as people would put it, because the name represented the best parts of the real me: Juliet Angelique Bodley
I was ashamed of my name Juliet Bodley, because I associated it with years of mental health struggles, multiple suicide attempts (three worth noting), consistent self-mutilation, and struggles with my faith as a Christian
I associated the name “Juliet” with an unhappy, yet successful, engineer trapped in a body that she hates, but exuded dexterity in putting on a face of glee; pretending that she has everything under control
Whenever I heard my name, the transcript of all my failures and challenges would run across the movie screen of my mind like a teleprompter, causing me to relive every pain and anguish as though they all happened just yesterday
So, in a magical twist, when JulieMango became a full-blown moniker and something that people loved, I felt like this was the only version of me that would ever be acceptable The comedian, the one that makes everyone laugh, the one who by God’s grace provides healing, helping everyone through a rough time, except herself
When I just started out, there were times when I would have posted a funny video, and while the world is laughing, I am writhing in emotional pain, because cognitive distortions and imposter syndrome took over my mind
There are times when my eyes would be red and puffy in videos, but no one would guess that I was crying in-between takes, before takes and right after posting
This was recipe for the return of my suicidal tendencies even though I had a breakthrough from that So, I had to go back into therapy Not for suicidal tendencies this time, but for depression and anxiety made worst by being a content creator I got a handle on my emotions and was able to once again find joy in what I do, which is to create content that by God’s grace makes other people happy and uplift them in more ways than one I was able to have fun again
Because I know what it is like to be on the side where I am mentally ill, then be on the side where I am healing; I have the perspective from both sides of the spectrum as a patient and not a professional. Hence the title of my article, “Mental Health from the inside ”
To what end do I share this information?
I share it for two reasons
Firstly, mental health discussions are still somewhat taboo And, secondly, on top of mental health being a taboo topic, it is also often spoken about by well-meaning professionals in the field; persons who are most times on the outside of the suffering Whilst their information is factual and applicable, the delivery of it may come off as authoritative, out of touch, hammer-heavy and even judgmental However, when you hear the advice from someone who has been through what you have been through, then you resonate more with what they are saying
Emotional resonance happens when you feel empathy coming from the person, and you feel as though they are speaking with you and not to you or at you It breaks down any resistive barriers and allows for communication and healing
Backtracking to my first reason, where mental health is taboo, it’s not that simple There is a buzz going around now on mental health and everyone wants to talk about mental health, however we need to be keen on the deeper, more substantial opportunities for mental health to not be so taboo
These opportunities include but are not limited to:
• Established first aid procedures for panic attacks or other mental breakdowns and disorders
Physical provisions made within the workplace or other corporate areas for persons with mental health issues
Sick leave considered applicable to mental breakdowns WITHOUT any repercussions when returning to the job And most imperatively, mental health as a part of the curriculum in schools. We teach children everything that the home cannot teach them – subjects such as chemistry, physics, biology, technical drawing, even home economics. However, we have forgotten that the underpin for the effectual usage of any other academic subject is a sound mind
Life will present its challenges, so it’s futile to try and rid life of all its unpleasant encounters A cliche we often use is, “it’s not what happens to you but how you deal with it ” While that is true, the only way we will learn how to correctly deal with things is if we can be honest and open about the incorrect ways we currently employ, without fear of judgment or stigma
The stigma associated with mental health issues can be far more crippling than the mental health issue itself The stigma needs to be broken How do we break this stigma? By normalizing conversations and policies around mental health The policies need to encourage conversation, understanding, and preventative measures rather than knee jerk, reactive, and draconian measures
Every person who is reading this article already has a past, has already made mistakes, and already has things they are trying to heal from So, all the recommendations above are great, but for the person who is already grown, now what?
To you I say, you are me, and you are so many of us You are not alone Whatever ails you mentally, there is help available Your brain
is blessed with what is called neuroplasticity
This is a quality that allows you to totally change the way your brain thinks, and allows you to process and live differently
You do not always have to feel the way you do Neuroplasticity allows you to change deeprooted thought patterns
Mental health is a spectrum, and we are all on it Some of us are on the hard side of it and some of us are on the more pleasant side The good thing about a spectrum is that you can move up or down the spectrum In other words, you can ALWAYS get better, and live better No one has to be stuck in a cycle; no one is ever hopeless The mere fact that you were created, means that you were created for good things I am telling you this, from the inside
As for me, life is a constant state of improvement and learning how to deal with battles as they come Each day has its peculiarities, both good and bad I am not where I used to be I never knew improvement was possible Therefore, like Paul the Apostle, if I don’t speak openly about the hope that I have experienced, it will be as though fire has shut up in my bones
I continue to make skits and my ultimate goals regarding content creation is to be on the big screen, professional movies, sitcoms etc But, even greater than that, my aim now is to speak on mental health globally where it can profit a cause greater than me, and that cause is God’s goodwill and purpose which is to spread a message of hope when it comes to mental health
The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), has described as “unfathomably cruel” a plan by the United States and Canada to limit the entry of Caribbean and other asylum seekers at their borders
NYIC, an umbrella policy and advocacy organization representing over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York, denounced the decision, saying that it “recklessly endangers the lives of asylum seekers” while demanding expanded protections for asylum seekers
“Asylum seekers flee violent conditions to build better futures for themselves and their families,” Murad Awawdeh, NYIC executive director, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), adding “they undergo extreme journeys across thousands of miles in search of safety and relief
“To now restrict the movement of asylum seekers is to recklessly endanger their lives Even Canada’s plan to provide a new refugee program for only 15,000 asylum seekers is a slap in the face It is no substitute for both countries to honor their humanitarian commitments to offer asylum to all those who need it
“President Biden cannot continue to shirk his responsibilities and take pages out of the xenophobic Republican playbook for political gain He must honor his promise to protect asylum seekers by welcoming them with open arms,” Awawdeh added
Last weekend in a joint statement following their meeting in Ottawa, US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection “enshrines our belief that irregular migration requires a regional
approach centered on expanding legal pathways and humane border management and recognizes that we must address the underlying economic and security drivers of migration
“The United States and Canada remain committed partners in advancing the principles of the Declaration As part of its commitment to these principles, Canada will welcome an additional 15,000 migrants on a humanitarian basis from the Western Hemisphere over the course of the year to continue expanding safe, regular pathways offered throughout the hemisphere as an alternative to irregular migration, with a path to economic opportunities
“Additionally, US and Canadian officials are now poised to implement an agreement to apply the terms of the Safe Third Country Agreement to asylum seekers who cross between ports of entry, which we anticipate will deter irregular
Africa, on the other hand, can boost its good exports to the Caribbean by more than 50% in less than five years, potentially exporting $325m annually Even greater opportunities exist in the trade in services The rapid growth of Africa’s internet and digital penetration to some 570 million internet users over the last 20 years is expected to accelerate opportunities with the arrival of SpaceX’s Starlink and Google’s Equiano
As we celebrate another Women’s History Month, let’s seize emerging opportunities that can reposition women of African descent in a world that continues to devalue women and people of color Vision 2063 can be used to reshape the lens of young, under 18 girls in Africa and the Diaspora who are planning their careers and contemplating their future They must be encouraged to be confident and become ready to stand as co-equals with their male counterparts and other genders to create the new economy and society of Africa, the Diaspora and the world by 2063 The historical leadership of women of African descent leaves me no doubt that our girls will rise to the task of empowering themselves and others, lifting the boat for all, and creating a better world
migration at our shared border,” the statement continued “We will remain in close coordination as we work to implement this new agreement ”
Both leaders also said they “remain concerned about deteriorating security in Haiti, committed to increasing international support for the Haitian people, including through security and humanitarian assistance, enhanced support for the Haitian National Police, and by holding accountable those who undermine Haiti’s stability ”
Haitians and Cubans have been among the refugees seeking to enter the United States through its southern borders Scan
In spite of the many challenges that persist, it’s an exciting time to be a woman of African descent Given our shared historical and socio-cultural reality, women in Africa and in the African Diaspora are making the connections and, in so doing, seizing the opportunities that abound, opening more doors and uplifting women The grand rising of empowered women of African descent, together with women across the globe, can be seen as a game changer in improving the lives of children, families, communities, with the potential of changing the world!
Professor Rosalea Hamilton is the Founding Director at Institute of Law & Economics and a Distinguished Scholar of the P J. Patterson Institute of Africa-Caribbean Advocacy. She’s also the Honorary Consul for the Republic of Sierra Leone in Jamaica, and the CEO of the Lasco Chin Foundation
He can read your Past, Present and Future about Family Life, Children’s Problems, Love Life, Business, Health, Financial Issues, Court Case Matters, Lucky Numbers, & Sexual Problems.
Love and Harmony Cruise 2023 is already a hit among reggae fans as it is set to embark on a sold-out journey featuring top stream reggae and soca artistes on April 4 to April 9
The Holland America Eurodam Signature-class ship is all geared up for the fifth voyage and organizers are already thinking ahead for Love and Harmony Cruise 2024
The demand for the cruise has compelled organizers to announce the dates for the 2024 journey, which will feature some new and sensational faces in the reggae industry Jamaican reggae singers Tarrus Riley and Chris Martin are all set to grace the stage alongside Beres Hammond, along with other artistes
Love and Harmony Cruise 2024 will take place aboard a new and bigger vessel, sailing to Nassau Bahamas, and Ocho Rios Jamaica from April 13 to April 18
Fans can visit the Love and Harmony Cruise website for more details on how to book their tickets early and avoid disappointment
Breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, Love and Harmony Cruise has rapidly become stellar in global themed cruise travel by offering a wide variety of award-winning entertainment, and dining options as well as a range of accommodations with the freedom and flexibility that comes with a luxury cruise ship, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea
There is no question that dining on the Love and Harmony cruise has become a major aspect of the cruise experience
Whatever tantalizes your taste buds, you’ll find it all on this journey From the Caribbean traditional palette (Oxtail, Curry Dishes, Ackee and saltfish, fry dumplings, porridge, etc) to a quick bite to eat, a fun family meal, or an intimate gastronomic dinner, you’ll be left more than satisfied
Love and Harmony promises to deliver a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience, bringing you together with a community of like-minded enthusiasts, creating lasting memories, and enjoying unparalleled access to your favorite superstars
Love and Harmony Cruise is the perfect getaway for island music lovers all around the world
Shawn Baptiste, founder and managing director of CIGA Records, has positioned his company to further expand the reach and impact of Jamaican music
At a launch event atop the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Thursday, March 16, Baptiste outlined his company ’ s vision and detailed his current projects Operating as a talent agency and record label, CIGA Records was established in Jamaica to add value to the local music industry by bringing authentic reggae and dancehall acts into larger markets
Baptiste contends that “discipline and organization are important A focused and unifying approach can move our music to expand our global reach and influence ”
In a room filled with industry players, CIGA Records unveiled the video for Beenie Man’s single Caribbean Boyz The video was shot on location in Jamaica and St Croix and directed by Stevie Bernard It provides a picturesque view of Caribbean locations as dancehall music, dance, and vibes are expressed in unique ways in various territories
The Caribbean Boyz Link Up Music Project, anchored by the title track and corresponding music video, features singles from Alaine, Yaksta, Bounty Killa, Beres Hammond, Sizzla, Elephant Man, Natural Blacks, and dancehall’s newest sensation Valiant
Shawn Baptiste, also known as CIGA, is a national of St Croix in the U S Virgin Islands He is a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, horse racing enthusiast, and an avid lover of reggae music It is this love and appreciation for the genre, coupled with the invaluable encouragement from legendary stalwart Beres Hammond that birthed CIGA Records
His natural business acumen has seen him owning and operating several successful businesses across varying industries Consequently, Baptise is poised to elevate reggae and dancehall music to new heights and new markets
Defending champions Kingston College and Edwin Allen High School will attempt to r e t a i n t h e i r t i t l e s a t t h e 2 0 2 3
ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics
Championships which began on Tuesday at inside Jamaica’s National Stadium
Kingston College will be hunting its 34th title, while Edwin Allen will go for their 10th lien Last year Kingston College ended with a massive 372 points on the boys’ side, to win ahead of Jamaica College with 300 83, Calabar with 170, St Jago High School with 147, and Edwin Allen High School on 95 points to complete the top five teams
Edwin Allen was top on the girls’ side with 352 points, followed by Hydel with 295, St Jago High with 249, Holmwood with 174, and Excelsior High School with 107 points to complete the top five teams
Based on the various development meets thus far this season, this year ’ s winners should come from the usual suspects with the defending champions fancied to repeat when the five-day competition comes to an end on Saturday night
Sixty-nine boys’ teams and 68 girls’ teams have been registered to participate in the spectacle which will see athletes contesting 88 events over the five days
The first day Tuesday comprised of all preliminaries, while Wednesday had 17 finals highlighted by the 100m for boys and girls
Thursday will have 13 finals, highlighted by the 400m, Friday will see 13 finals highlighted by several field events and the 400m hurdles, while Saturday’s final day will have 43 finals, highlighted by the 800m, 200m, 4x100m, and 4x400m relays
Each school will be allowed a maximum of two competitors per event only if both are ranked according to the “entry requirements”
Schools having more than two athletes ranked will not be given an extra spot
Title sponsors GraceKennedy Limited has allocated $175 million, $81m in cash, and the rest in execution, through its subsidiaries Grace
Foods, Grace Money Services, and First Global
This sum is a huge increase from the $88 million invested in the 2022 edition The winning schools will receive $1 million, with second place through to fifth place earning $750,000, $500,000, $300,000, and $200,000
In addition, a special digital award of $500,000 will be on offer for the boys’ and girls’ schools that break the most records The funds will go towards the schools’ digital curriculum as part of GraceKennedy’s drive for digital technology and advancement in schools
There will also be a special award of $250,000 each to the top teacher and coach of the winning boys’ and girls’ schools
Based on the summary of the post-seeding committee meeting as a result of the entries received, the following events will not have preliminary rounds: 1500M Class 2 Girls, 1500M Class 1 Girls, 400M Class 1 Girls, high jump Class 1 Girls; triple Jump Class 1 Boys,
St Jago High School’s Abigail Martin broke the first record on the opening day of the 2023 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships in Kingston’s National Stadium
Contesting Flight Two, Abigail Martin threw the 1kg implement 55 19m to smash the previous Girls’ Class One discus throw record of 53 04m by Fiona Richards of Edwin Allen High School on March 29, 2017 Incidentally, the winner of Flight One, Holmwood Technical High School’s Cedricka Williams, also went beyond the previous record with her 53 22m
Meanwhile, 17 finals, highlighted by the 100m for boys and girls, will take center stage on Wednesday following Tuesday’s opening day filled with preliminaries
triple jump Class 2 Boys, 110M hurdles Class 2 Boys, 100M hurdles Class 2 Girls, 100M hurdles Class 1 Girls, 110M hurdles Class 1 Boys
Also, in an effort to facilitate extending the interval between the 1500M prelims and final, the 2000M steeplechase was removed as it was believed the event would have been a straight final While the girls will be a straight final, there are 18 entries for the boys necessitating a preliminary round to ensure the safety of the athletes
If there are withdrawals that reduce the number to 15 or less, the event will be declared a straight final The schedule did not factor in a preliminary round for the triple jump girls open Based on the number of entries, a preliminary round is required, and this has been scheduled for Wednesday, day 2 at 5:00 pm
The finals slated for the competition will ensure that points will start to accumulate for teams on Wednesday, as most of the favored athletes made smooth passage through to the next round
Defending champions Kingston College and Edwin Allen High School have so far qualified most of the athletes to the next phase with the hope of progressing these athletes to the finals
ByCMCNews
Captain and veteran forward Joevin Jones earned Trinidad and Tobago a point against Nicaragua but the hosts still missed out on promotion, while St Kitts and St Lucia earned convincing wins to move up in the CONCACAF Nations League on Monday
The 31-year-old Jones levelled for the hosts from the spot in the 42nd minute, cancelling out Ariagner Smith’s 27th-minute strike at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago, as T&T came away with a 1-1 result in Group C of League B
With the result, T&T remained second on 13 points, a point behind leaders Nicaragua who advanced to the Gold Cup and also gained promotion to League A
T&T will now feature in the Gold Cup preliminaries and remain in League B Smith put Nicaragua ahead nearing the half-hour mark, eluding defender Kareem Moses and heading a cross past goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup from six yards
But Joevin Jones equalized moments before the break after Ryan Telfer was brought down in the area, beating goalkeeper Miguel Rodriguez with a thumping drive to his right
In League C, St Kitts beat Aruba 2-0 courtesy of a brace from Keithroy Freeman to top Group B and earn promotion to League B and a trip to the Gold Cup preliminaries
The 29-year-old struck in first-half stoppage at Warner Park in Basseterre, running on to a long all out of the back and lobbing the
’keeper from close range, before adding his second in the 80th by pivoting in the box on a Josua John cross, to score from 10 yards
St Lucia, meanwhile, also earned promotion and a place in the Gold Cup preliminaries after topping Group C by easily brushing aside Dominica 3-1 at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in Castries
Gregson President put the hosts ahead in the 19th minute from a tight angle from the right of the box before Kurt Frederick scored the first of a brace in the 40th, lashing home a left-footed drive after the Dominica defence failed to clear a loose ball
Frederick’s second came in the 62nd when his deflected shot from the top of the 18-yard box found the back of the nets
