On May 21, 2026, the Rotary Club of Antigua turned its long-standing commitment to youth holistic development into action, hosting a specialized mental health workshop for students at Irene B. Williams Secondary School. Organized in collaboration with prominent mental health advocate Chaneil Imhoff, the event was designed to create a judgment-free, supportive space where young people could openly explore common mental health struggles, build practical coping skills, deepen self-awareness, and learn the value of reaching out for professional and community support when facing distress.
Tailored to address the unique pressures facing modern adolescents, the workshop combined interactive group discussions with hands-on guidance, focusing on equipping participants with actionable tools to navigate daily stress, clinical anxiety, peer pressure, and other common issues that impact young people’s wellbeing.
Elisa Graham, president of the Rotary Club of Antigua, opened the event by underscoring the organization’s core mission: uplifting the nation’s younger generation through targeted, community-centered initiatives that address unmet needs. School leadership and student support staff echoed Graham’s enthusiasm for the collaborative project. Gretchen Christopher, guidance counsellor at Irene B. Williams Secondary School, emphasized that cross-organizational partnerships are critical to building robust support networks for students within school campuses.
“Mental health challenges shape every part of a student’s life – their academic performance, their social connections, and their long-term emotional growth,” Christopher explained. “Workshops like this do more than teach skills; they reassure students they don’t have to struggle alone. There are people and organizations ready to stand with them through hard times, and we cannot thank the Rotary Club of Antigua and Ms. Imhoff enough for centering this critical work.”
Ursula Willock, principal of the host school, also commended the initiative and urged attending students to engage fully with the day’s activities. “Our first priority is our students, and that means valuing not just their test scores, but their voices and their wellbeing,” Willock said. “Events like this break down the harmful stigma that keeps too many young people silent about their struggles, and help us build a school culture rooted in openness, mutual understanding, and compassion.”
The core of the workshop consisted of a feature presentation and guided interactive discussions led by Imhoff, who encouraged attendees to make their emotional wellness a daily priority and speak openly about any concerns they face. “Too many young people grow up believing that asking for help is a sign of weakness, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Imhoff told participants. “A mental health challenge doesn’t define who you are. With the right support, practical coping strategies, and a little encouragement, every student can overcome the obstacles in their path and thrive.”
For the Rotary Club of Antigua, the workshop is just one part of the organization’s ongoing dedication to improving young lives. Through education, community service, and advocacy, the club continues to develop initiatives that strengthen local communities and create long-term positive change for Antigua’s youth.