Breaking the silence: Youth lead dialogue on the Commercial Determinants of Mental Health

Bridgetown, Barbados, 13 October 2025 (PAHO) - In recognition of World Mental Health Day 2025, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) brought together partners and young people from across the Eastern Caribbean for a dynamic and inspiring forum under the theme "Breaking the Silence: Commercial Determinants of Mental Health." The event, held on 10 October 2025, spotlighted the often-overlooked commercial influences shaping mental health outcomes and celebrated the energy, insight, and leadership of the youth driving change in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries.

The forum was hosted in partnership with Let's Unpack It (LUI), the Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY), Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Eastern Caribbean, Ministry of Education Technological and Vocational Training and the Ministry of Health and Wellness Barbados, it was a landmark step in amplifying youth voices and bridging the gap between science, policy, and lived experience.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Hon. Davidson Ishmael commended young people particularly Generation Z and millennials for their openness relative to discussing their own mental health, which has offered up a crucial opportunity for policy engagement and for data collection.

"We have strong global evidence that links commercial factors, particularly those involving unhealthy commodity Industries and digital environments to heighten risk of mental health issues, especially depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide amongst our young people.

I must underscore that this event today is of vital significance because it is designed to empower students by providing them with advocacy tools to promote mental health within their schools and communities, and to enable them to contribute to actionable recommendations for national and regional strategies. Moreover, research does emphasize the growing need for our youth to fully understand factors like the commercial determinants of mental health," said Minister Ishmael.

Speaking on behalf of the PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Advisor, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Dr Taraleen Malcolm, underscored the growing recognition that mental health cannot be separated from the environments in which people live, learn, and work, including the influence of commercial forces.

"The commercial determinants of mental health are the policies, practices, and products of the private sector that can influence well-being from the marketing of alcohol and unhealthy foods to social media use and gambling," said Dr Malcolm. "Understanding and addressing these factors are essential to promoting mental wellness, particularly among our youth."

Representatives from UNICEF, RUSM, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness echoed this call, emphasizing the importance of collaborative, multi-sectoral action and empowering young people to become advocates and innovators for mental health in the region.

Youth take the lead

At the heart of the forum were young leaders who transformed what could have been a policy discussion into a movement of creativity, courage, and connection.

A powerful youth-led performance, "Can You Reach My Friend?" by Oshea Stoute of Harrison College, set the tone for the day, reminding participants of the humanity and urgency behind the conversation on mental health.

This was followed by a fireside chat facilitated by youth advocates Stephanie Whiteman and Pierre Cooke Jr., which featured open, honest discussions about how commercial environments, from social media pressures to targeted advertising, impact young people's sense of self, community, and well-being.

Participants explored how commercial determinants intersect with broader issues such as climate change, digital media, and consumer culture, echoing UNICEF's findings that young people across the Caribbean are increasingly aware of how these forces shape their mental health and resilience.

In keeping with PAHO's commitment to transforming awareness into action, the forum also included an advocacy training session led by Dr David Johnson and Chelsea Jordan, equipping youth with tools to influence policy and engage their peers. The session focused on practical strategies from effective communication to evidence-based advocacy, empowering participants to take their ideas forward in their schools, communities, and countries.

Partnerships driving impact

The forum's success reflected the strength of collaboration among PAHO and its partners.

• Ross University School of Medicine continues to serve as a key partner in building research and capacity for mental health across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, with a growing focus on understanding how commercial determinants influence well-being.
• UNICEF Eastern Caribbean highlighted the voices of young people in shaping mental health priorities, aligning with its ongoing work to empower youth amid growing social and environmental pressures.
• The Healthy Caribbean Youth (HCY) and Let's Unpack It (LUI), known for its leadership on civil society engagement in health, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting youth advocates and promoting policies that protect mental and physical health from harmful commercial influences.

A moment of reflection and a promise for the future

By the end of the forum, there was a shared sense of accomplishment and urgency. Youth participants left not only informed but inspired, equipped to become changemakers in addressing the upstream forces that impact their mental health.

For PAHO, the event was more than a commemoration of world mental health day. It was a reaffirmation of its commitment to empowering youth, supporting evidence-based advocacy, and strengthening the health sector's response to the social and commercial determinants of mental health.

As one participant put it during the wrap-up session, "When young people understand how systems shape their minds, they realize they have power not just to cope, but to change those systems."

Building on the momentum of this forum, PAHO and partners will continue to:

• Integrate commercial determinant awareness into national mental health strategies.
• Strengthen youth engagement and advocacy platforms, ensuring young people remain central to shaping mental health policies.
• Expand research and surveillance in partnership with RUSM, LUI, HCY, and UNICEF to build Caribbean-specific evidence on commercial determinants.
• Support governments in developing regulatory frameworks to reduce exposure to harmful commercial practices and promote healthier environments.

The forum demonstrated that addressing mental health requires collective reflection on the forces shaping our societies. Most importantly, it showed that the youth are ready to have a seat at the table and to lead the conversation.

Together, with partners and communities, PAHO continues to advance its vision of "Health for All" where every young person can thrive in an environment that supports, not undermines, their mental well-being.