Heyliger-Marten: Ahead of World Mental Health Day: “You Good?” should mean more

GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten is urging residents of St. Maarten to look beyond appearances, listen more closely to one another and help create a community where seeking mental health support is not treated as weakness or gossip.

Her message comes ahead of World Mental Health Day, observed annually on October 10. The World Health Organization’s 2026 theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” with this year’s campaign focusing on ensuring that people with lived experience of mental health conditions are not only heard, but are meaningfully involved in shaping policies, services and decisions that affect their lives.

Heyliger-Marten said mental health struggles are not always visible and that the familiarity of life in a small community can sometimes create the impression that people know what others are going through.

“Not every battle leaves a visible scar,” Heyliger-Marten said. “St. Maarten is a small community. We see each other in the supermarket, in traffic, at church, at work and at social events. We may know someone’s name, their family, where they work and even what car they drive. But knowing someone does not mean we know what they are carrying.”

She said behind a familiar smile may be grief, financial pressure, anxiety, loneliness, family problems, exhaustion or simply someone who has been trying to remain strong for a long period without openly expressing what they are facing.

Heyliger-Marten called for a community culture in which people feel safer asking for help and seeking support without fear that their struggles will become the subject of public discussion.

“That is why we must become a community where asking for help is not seen as weakness, where seeking support does not become tomorrow’s gossip, and where we are slower to judge people whose struggles we may know nothing about,” she said.

The Minister also encouraged residents to give greater meaning to one of the most common questions heard across St. Maarten: “You good?”

She said the question should not be asked simply out of habit, but with a willingness to listen to the answer and recognize when someone may need support.

“Don’t just ask it out of habit. Ask it, and take the time to hear the answer,” Heyliger-Marten said. “Check on your strong friend. Check on your colleague. Check on your family. And sometimes, check on yourself.”

Her message closely reflects the focus of World Mental Health Day 2026, which emphasizes the value of lived experience and the importance of allowing people who have faced mental health challenges to help shape the systems intended to support them. WHO says meaningful engagement goes beyond listening to personal stories and should include opportunities for people with lived experience to influence decisions, strengthen services and challenge stigma.

Heyliger-Marten said community support begins with recognizing that people may be carrying burdens that are not immediately apparent and responding with greater patience and compassion.

“You matter. What you are carrying matters. And brighter days are possible,” she said.

The Minister concluded by urging residents to continue looking out for one another, not only around World Mental Health Day but throughout the year.

“At the end of the day, community means looking out for one another. Because only we, can protect we.”

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