The 2025-2026 Budget, unveiled on October 13 by Trinidad and Tobago’s new administration, has been hailed by some as a blueprint for hope and transformation. Under the theme “T&T First: Building Economic Fairness through Accountable Fiscal Policies,” Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo presented a polished and thematic budget that signaled strategic realignments across ministries. However, for advocates of mental health and inclusion, the budget fell short of delivering the urgent and transformative changes needed for vulnerable groups. While the government pledged to decentralize mental health services and promote community-based care, the plan lacked critical details such as timelines, infrastructure, and workforce development. The Social Sector Investment Programme highlighted Trinidad and Tobago’s third-place ranking in the Caribbean for mental illness prevalence, yet the budget’s response to this crisis was deemed tepid. Dr. Margaret Nakhid-Chatoor, a psychologist and educator, criticized the absence of targeted measures for people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and the LGBTQ+ community. Despite growing advocacy for mental health reform and inclusion, the budget failed to address systemic barriers or integrate mental health literacy into the education system. Dr. Nakhid-Chatoor emphasized that true economic fairness requires more than rebranding; it demands a reimagining of progress, urgent investment in community-based care, and the embedding of inclusion into every ministry. She called for a redrawing of the track—one that is urgent, accountable, and inclusive of every citizen—to break the cycle of marginalization and ensure measurable outcomes.