Liberty VI has started the month of May with three fiber installation projects throughout St. Thomas. The projects in Estate Demerara -Anna’s Fancy and Estate Bolongo Bay are expected to be completed by Thursday, May 21 and Saturday, May 30, respectively. A phase 2 job has already started at Estate Bovoni in St. Thomas and is slated to end on Friday, May 29.
(Photo courtesy Liberty VI)
“As we acquire the necessary permits, we are moving forward with our Fiber to the Home construction projects so more locations in the territory can have access to our fiber fast internet,” said Catherine Kling, general manager of Liberty VI. “We will continue informing VI consumers about the next areas where we will schedule Fiber to the Home construction projects.”
The work at Estate Demerara -Anna’s Fancy and Estate Bolongo Bay includes the placement and installation aerial fiber optic cables on utility poles. The Estate Bovoni job entails placing
aerial fiber optic cables and terminals on utility poles along Alfredo Lima Senior Drive, Hill Crest Road, Purple Shop Road, and the Clinton E. Phillips Racetrack. Traffic controls and safety equipment were placed prior to the start of construction. Once completed, 1,227 serviceable homes and businesses overall will have access to Liberty’s Fiber to the Home broadband service. Construction will take place between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Work times may change depending on the work to be performed.
The job are being performed with minimal traffic impact. However, residents and drivers within the area should expect delays due to lane and partial road closures and must exercise caution when traveling on the narrow roadways.
Liberty VI will be providing updates on its website https://www.libertyvi.com/news on when and where the company will be working around the territory so people can plan their daily commutes ahead of time.
The Virgin Islands Department of Justice is pleased to announce that the long-awaited modular morgue units for St. Croix have officially been delivered to their designated site and installation is now underway.
The modular morgue is hoisted into place. (Submitted photo)
This milestone represents a major step toward restoring critical forensic and mortuary services on St. Croix. The modular units previously housed with the V.I. Port Authority are being installed at a government-designated site in the Golden Grove area, formerly the location of the Toro building.
Site preparation and infrastructure work have been advancing in coordination with contractors and partner agencies. Once operational, the facility will provide on-island autopsy and forensic services, reducing the need to transport decedents to St. Thomas and improving efficiency, timeliness, and support for grieving families.
A representative from McGrath RentCorp, doing business as Mobile Modular Management Corp., the company that acquired VESTA, the original contractor for the project, is currently on site to ensure all necessary repairs are properly addressed. Following a comprehensive assessment, all minor issues identified were promptly resolved. The units are now in excellent condition and fully prepared for installation.
“This is an important and long-anticipated development for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said AG Rhea, “The V.I. Department of Justice remains committed to strengthening our forensic capabilities and ensuring that families receive timely and dignified services during difficult times.”
The modular morgue is a 2,400-square-foot facility featuring a lobby and reception area, viewing room, two medical examiner offices, and an autopsy suite with dual bays to accommodate two procedures simultaneously. The layout also includes a public restroom, staff restroom, clean room, office space for legal death investigators, a walk-in cooler, and dedicated storage for equipment and supplies.
Installation of the units is expected to continue over the coming weeks. The Department is working toward operational readiness by September 2026 and is actively managing all remaining steps to meet this target.
The DOJ acknowledges the patience of the community and thanks all stakeholders who have contributed to moving this project forward. Additional updates will be provided as the project progresses.
Donald H.W. Martin’s family is heartbroken to announce his unexpected passing on March 10, 2026, at the age of 76.Donald H.W. Martin
Donald was a dedicated and caring father and grandfather, known for his friendly nature. He retired from the Water and Power Authority after many years of service. He was predeceased by his mother, Evangeline Sargeant; his wife, Maureen Shears-Martin; and his sisters, Agnes Sargent-Belle-Allen, Marian Martin, and Carmen Martin-Harris (Tone).Brother, James Martin (Sukie).
His surviving family includes his daughters: Allison Martin, Beverly Martin, LeslieAnn Martin, and Nina Martin; his stepson, Leslie Shears (Barry); his grandchildren: Samantha Ryan, Jamal Shears, Jahzzi Gregory, Roman Shears, RJ Morales, and Rohan Christian; as well as his sister, Martha Yearwood, and brother, Wentworth Martin (Peter).Daughter-in-law Nia Shears, son-in-law Emmett Christian, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends.
The Celebration of Love and Life will take place on Friday, May 15, at 4 p.m. at St. Peter Episcopal Church located at 38 & 44 Estate Castle Coakley, Christiansted. May his memory endure through those he cherished.
The Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands is calling on the Legislature of the Virgin Islands to act with urgency and purpose to fund the upcoming primary election, emphasizing that delays in appropriations threaten both the administration of the election and public confidence in the democratic process.
The symbol of the U.S. Democratic Party
State Chairwoman Carol M. Burke, in a Letter to the Editor, echoed the sentiments expressed in a recent editorial by Winston Nugent, which challenged leaders to choose between “spectacle or substance, noise or direction, urgency or intention.”
“The timely funding of the primary election is not a matter of preference—it is a matter of responsibility,” Burke stated. “For nearly a century, elections in the Virgin Islands have been publicly funded as a core function of government. That responsibility must be upheld not just in principle, but in practice—and in time.”
Since the establishment of elected governance in 1936 and under the framework of the Revised Organic Act of 1954, elections in the territory have been administered as part of the public system, with funding appropriated by the Legislature. Like jurisdictions across the United States, the Virgin Islands relies on public funding to support the infrastructure necessary to conduct elections, including primary elections that determine party nominees.
The DPVI emphasized that while political parties maintain the constitutional right to certify candidates and govern internal processes, the administration and funding of elections remain a public obligation.
“Delay is not neutral,” Burke said. “A late appropriation can have the same practical effect as a denial—compressing timelines, straining election administration, disadvantaging candidates, and confusing voters.”
The Party noted that generations of legislative leadership, including Senate Presidents such as Earl B. Ottley, Ruby M. Rouss, Elmo D. Roebuck, Lorraine Berry, Almando Liburd, and Neville James, recognized the importance of fully funding elections as an essential pillar of governance.
The DPVI is urging current legislative leadership—including the Senate President and the Chair of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations—to ensure that funding for the primary election is approved promptly to preserve the integrity of the election process.
“At a time when trust in institutions must be strengthened, timely funding of elections sends a clear message: that the system works, that leadership is intentional, and that the people’s voice is respected,” Burke added. “Regaining and strengthening public trust in our elections must itself be an intentional act.”
The DPVI reaffirmed that democracy does not begin at the general election, but at the primary—where voters first exercise their choice and political parties fulfill their role in the democratic process.
Virgin Islands Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith shined at the Torrin Lawrence Memorial, setting a new facility record. (Submitted photo)
Virgin Islands Sports Ambassador Michelle Smith delivered another commanding performance on the U.S. collegiate circuit, showcasing her world‑class talent at the Torrin Lawrence Memorial in Athens, Georgia. Competing against a strong field, Smith captured the spotlight with a victory in the 400m Hurdles, stopping the clock at 55.41 seconds—a new Facility Record and one of the fastest times run this season.
Smith returned to the track later in the meet to contribute to her team’s success in the 4×400m relay, where she ran a blistering 51.16-second split on the second leg. Her aggressive and confident carry helped establish a commanding lead that the squad never relinquished. The relay team ultimately crossed the line in 3:27.83, securing first place and closing the meet with another statement performance.
For the Virgin Islands, Smith’s achievements continue to symbolize excellence, discipline, and national pride. As Sports Ambassador, she not only represents the territory on the track but also inspires young athletes across the islands to pursue their goals with the same determination and focus.
With each competition, Michelle Smith strengthens her reputation as one of the most promising athletes to emerge from the Virgin Islands. Her record‑breaking run in Athens is another milestone in a career that continues to ascend—and a reminder that she is far from finished.
Mikaela Smith delivered a strong 800m performance at the East Coast Relays. (Submitted photo)
Virgin Islands athlete Sofia Swindell put together an impressive slate of performances at the Larry Ellis Memorial Invitational hosted by Princeton University in Princeton, NJ, showcasing her versatility and competitive strength across multiple events.
Swindell opened her day by leading off the 4×100m relay, giving the University of Pennsylvania a strong start that helped propel the team to a first‑place finish in 44.72. Her execution on the opening leg set the tone for a clean and commanding relay victory.
In the 100m hurdles, Swindell clocked 14.00 in the prelims, advancing to the finals on time. She elevated her performance when it mattered most, finishing fourth overall with a season’s best of 13.70—a significant step forward as she sharpens her form heading into championship season.
Swindell returned to the track for the 4×400m relay, where she ran a powerful second leg, splitting 52.9 and helping Penn secure another first‑place finish in 3:33.51.
Her next competition comes on familiar ground: the Ivy League Championships, set for May 16–17 at Princeton University. With her current form trending upward, Swindell enters the conference meet poised for another impactful showing.
Eduardo Garcia returned to the Indianapolis Indy Mini Half Marathon. (Submitted photo)
Virgin Islands distance runner Eduardo Garcia delivered an inspiring performance on Saturday, May 2, at the Indianapolis Indy Mini Half Marathon, one of the largest and most competitive half marathons in the United States with more than 30,000 participants.
Competing in his first half marathon in over two years, Garcia crossed the finish line in an impressive 1:06:27, placing 11th overall in a world‑class field. The result marks a major milestone in his comeback journey following double hip surgeries, a challenge that would have ended the careers of many athletes. Instead, Garcia has steadily rebuilt his strength, fitness, and racing confidence—culminating in this breakthrough performance on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Garcia’s run in Indianapolis was more than a fast time; it was a statement. His ability to return to elite form after such a long layoff underscores his resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment to representing the Virgin Islands at the highest level.
This race also serves as a critical step toward his next major goal: qualifying for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo.
Virgin Islands middle‑distance standout Mikaela Smith continued her consistent 2026 campaign with a strong showing at the East Coast Relays, clocking 2:11.55 in the women’s 800m—just shy of her season best of 2:11.27.
Jerome Eugene Bryan Sr., aka “Jerry”, of Estate Jealousy Ridge, passed away on March 23. He was 80 years old.
Jerome Eugene Bryan Sr.
He was preceded in death by his, mother, Mary Gumbs; father, Maxwell Allan Bryant; mother-in-love, Viola Bryan; grandmother, Ethel Charles; grandfather, Joe Bryan; grandchild, Alijah Watts; brother, Carl Bryant; niece, Gina Weatherhead; aunt, Gertude Blanchard; uncles, Keith Bryan, Hamil Bryan, Denfield Bryan.
He is survived by his, spouse, Lavendar Candace Bryan; daughters, Dianne S Bryan, Marsha R Bryan, Vanda Alezy Baptiste; son, Maxwell Keith Bryan SR, Jerome E Bryan Bryan Jr. (Chuga), Maurice J Bryan (Moe), Matthew Claxton; grand and great-grandchildren, Nytisha Watts, Antonio Watts Jr., Niara Watts, Maxwell Keith Bryan Jr, Keianna Bryan, Shakoya Bryan, Tejah Bryan, Makay Bryan, Melijah Bryan, Layla Bryan, Maurice Bryan Jr, Micah Bryan, Jerome Bryan III, Jermaude Bryan, Kaalyn Bryan, Nailah Bryan, Corbyn Simpkins andElon Simpkins; granddaughter-in-law, Faith N Bryan; sisters, Sheree Hesse, Brenda Jenkins, Gloria Claxton; brother, Anthony Bryan, Maxwell Jr Bryan, Derek Bryan, Kevin Bostic, Gene Bryan, Dwain Gumbs and Alexis Weatherhead; niece, Alexandra, Angelica and Weatherhead, Germaine Maduro, Tamara Benjamin, Jasmine, Lashanta, and Jamila Gumbs, Gabriell and Daniel Claxton; nephew, Prophet, Wise Naphtali and Asher Gumbs, Andrew and Timothy; great nieces, Jalisa Richardson; aunt, Mona Farrell, Silvie Charles; daughter-in-law, Beverly Bryan; son- in-law, Antonio O. Watts, Sr. ; brother-in-law, Philbert Grant (Antigua and Barbuda); sister-in-law, Cleopatra Charles (Antigua and Barbuda); cousins and other relatives, Hyacinth Gore and Family, Blanchard Family, Charles Family, Horsford Family, Barton Family, Phillip Family, Jarvis Family, Soniel Charles and FamilyDr. Germaine Owen, Pryce Family, Marva Bedneau, Paulette Mason and Family, Daisylyn Samuel and Family, Lorna Joseph and Family, Abbott Family, Yvonne Ferris, Ferris Family, Alphaeus Phillip and Family, Jarvis Family, Baptiste Family, Hydeai Myers and Family, Sonia Salamah and Family, Gumbs Family, Aunt Bertine, Bethelmie Family, Agnes Bright and Family, Martin Family, Tricia Lynch and Family, Nicole Plante Family, Thomas Family, Tongue Family, Proctor Family; as well as others too numerous to mention; special friends, Charles Anthony and Family, George Lake and Family, Mary Edwards Abbott and family, Jackie Dyer, Pelle Family, Lorna Henderson, Collin Browne, Carr Family, Faye JohnBaptiste and Family, Daniel Bakery Family, Derrick Cole and Family, Ira Cole, Patrick Walters and Family, Sister Milicent Williams, Velma Pryce Carr, Scotland Family Emlyn Gibson and Family, Emelda Isaac and Isaac Family, Joan Mathurin and Family, Arabella Edwards and Family, Brother W. Chapman, Brother D. Edwards, Brother P. Gibson Brother Hamilton and Family Coleen Grant, Emmanuel Gospel Chapel Family; as well as others too numerous to mention; precious friends and other relatives too numerous to mention.
Funeral service will be held on May 22 at Emmanuel Gospel Chapel. Viewing begins at 9 a.m., with the service at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at Kingshill Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
Primrose Matilda Josiah Frederick-Francis, affectionately known as “Prim,” “Rosie” and “Nenny Primrose,” went to be with the Lord on April 16 at the age of 88. She was born in Old Road Village on the beautiful island of Antigua.
Primrose Matilda Josiah Frederick-Francis
Primrose brought light, warmth, and laughter to all who knew her. She lived a life marked by her relationship with God, kindness, compassion, unwavering dedication to her children, and a sincere connection with family and friends.
The Family Matriarch was preceded in death by her parents, Elfreda S. Josiah and Joshua Josiah; siblings Leonora “Nono” Roberts, Nataniel “Nathan” Josiah, Viola “Josephine” Francis, Robert “Bobby” Josiah, Claudine Leandre, Glenroy “John” Josiah, and Naomi Griffith.
She is lovingly remembered by her beloved children, Velina L. Frederick, The Honorable Senator Hubert Lorenzo Frederick, and Claudia V. Frederick; her precious grandchildren, Jordan T.K. Frederick, and Loren E. Frederick; bonus daughter, Tracy Frederick and special adopted granddaughter, Monica Morrison; dearest nieces Editha Whyte, Bernadine Parker, and Helena Griffith; dearest nephews Eric Baxter and Randal Griffith and countless other nieces and nephews; godchildren, Delford Roberts, Ethlyn McKay-Hastings, Kira Francis, Jovel French, Samika Rawlins and many others; dearest family and friends, The Simon Family, The Josiah Family, TheRoberts Family, The Francis Family, The Turner Family, The Steven-Lake Family, Kathleen Williams and Family, Hubert and Ruthlyn Frederick and Family, The Samuel-Francis Family, The Moolenaar Family, The Wenner Family, The Gautier Family, The Gallows Bay Friends, The Diamond Ruby Friends, The Williams Delight Friends, The East End Friends, Veronica Browne and Family, The Church of God of Prophecy Family, Bishop Cecil Coker and Family, Bishop Lennod Hamilton and Family, Beverly Cascen, Urylee Burke and Family, The Richardo Richards Elementary School “Retired” Faculty and Staff, her children’s friends over the years, and many others whose lives were touched by her grace and compassion.
Funeral services will take place on May 8 at The Beeston Hill Wesleyan Holiness Church, Plot 1A, Beeston Hill, Christiansted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Tributes: 9 am and service: 10 am. Interment will be at the Kingshill Cemetery
The Family kindly requests that no flowers/wreaths be sent.In lieu of flowers, donations will be made in honor of Primrose Francis in the memo line, to the Church of God of Prophecy, PO Box 3773, Christiansted, VI 00822 or The Ricardo Richards Elementary School, 11,000 Barren Spot, Kingshill, VI00850.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
A 41-foot U.S. Customs and Border Protection Coastal Interceptor Vessel collided with a small dinghy Saturday night, leaving one person dead. (Submitted photo)
The operator of a small dinghy was killed colliding with a 41-foot federal patrol boat at the end of St. Thomas Carnival, officials said Wednesday.
The dinghy’s sole occupant was transported to Roy Lester Schneider hospital where he was pronounced dead, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman said.
The Saturday night accident near Haulover Cut — the narrow channel between St. Thomas and Hassel Island — was being investigated by several divisions of the Department of Homeland Security, including the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs’ Office of Professional Responsibility, as well as the National Transportation Safety Board.
Customs officials said the Coastal Interceptor Vessel was conducting a border security patrol at the time of the crash. They gave no timeline for when new information about the incident — including the name of the victim and reason for the collision — would be available.
A federal lawsuit is challenging ballot access rules and candidate certification procedures in the Virgin Islands. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
A federal lawsuit filed in District Court is widening the legal battle over how candidates qualify for the ballot in the Virgin Islands — challenging not only the Elections System’s treatment of independent candidates, but also a recent agreement that gave political parties a direct role in determining who advances to the primary ballot.
The case, filed by Delegate to Congress candidate Shelley Moorhead, along with legislative candidates Collister Fahie and Lorelei Monsanto, argues that the territory’s current election framework now operates under multiple sets of rules depending on who a candidate is, what party they belong to, and even which voters sign their nomination papers.
At stake is something larger than a dispute over paperwork deadlines or technical election procedures. The lawsuit goes directly at the mechanics of ballot access — who gets on the ballot, who helps put them there, and whether the government can enforce rules that plaintiffs argue treat similarly situated candidates differently.
For independent candidates, the complaint argues, the process has become especially burdensome.
Under Virgin Islands law, an independent candidate for Delegate to Congress must collect at least 200 valid signatures from voters in at least two districts. But the lawsuit says the actual hurdle is much higher because election officials are rejecting signatures from voters labeled “inactive,” even though those same voters can still cast ballots in the election after confirming their identity and residency.
That distinction matters because candidates gathering signatures often have no practical way of knowing, in real time, which registered voters may later be flagged during verification. The result, according to the filing, is that independent candidates are forced to over-collect signatures simply to survive the review process — spending more time, money, and organizational effort than party-backed candidates competing for the same office.
The lawsuit repeatedly frames that imbalance as a constitutional issue, arguing that ballot access in the territory now depends less on uniform election law and more on which political lane a candidate occupies.
The complaint also takes aim at a March clarification notice issued by Supervisor of Elections Caroline Fawkes stating that signatures submitted by inactive voters “are invalid and will be rejected.”
Plaintiffs argue the policy effectively excludes a category of otherwise eligible voters from participating in the nomination process, even while allowing them to vote in the same election months later.
But the filing’s most politically significant challenge may involve a mediated settlement reached last month between the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands and election officials. That agreement, signed April 23, created a process in which the Elections System would first determine whether Democratic candidates met statutory requirements, after which the Democratic Party would separately certify which candidates move forward to the primary ballot.
Monsanto — who is running as a Democrat — argues in the lawsuit that she was never part of the mediation that produced the agreement, yet is now subject to a certification process controlled by a private political organization.
The complaint argues that distinction is critical because political parties, while free to manage their internal affairs, do not have unrestricted authority over access to a public ballot administered by the government. To support that argument, the plaintiffs point to legal opinions issued earlier this year by Attorney General Gordon Rhea following the federal court’s 2024 ruling striking down portions of Virgin Islands election law dealing with party nominations and political committees.
Those opinions concluded that while parties may choose their officers and govern internal operations, the actual process of determining who qualifies for public office remains controlled by Virgin Islands law and election officials.
The lawsuit argues the recent settlement blurred that line by effectively allowing a private organization to participate in deciding ballot access under government enforcement.
The case arrives at a moment when the territory’s election system is already facing mounting legal pressure ahead of the 2026 cycle.
What started earlier this year as a dispute over party certification procedures has steadily expanded into a broader courtroom fight over constitutional protections, voter participation, and whether Virgin Islands election law is being applied consistently across candidates and parties.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to block enforcement of the inactive-voter signature policy, halt implementation of the April 23 settlement agreement, and declare portions of the current ballot access framework unconstitutional.
Michele L. Weichman reflects on her lifelong experience with mental illness and the impact of stigma in her community. (Photo courtesy Michele L Weichman)
There is a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from trying to survive inside your own mind while the world tells you nothing is wrong.
It is the exhaustion of being misunderstood.
Of being mislabeled.
Of learning, at a very young age, that what you are feeling is either too much or not real at all.
I have lived with mental illness for as long as I can remember. I just did not always know what to call it.
As a child, I did not have the language. I only had the experience of living in a mind that never seemed to quiet down. My thoughts would latch onto something and loop endlessly, circling until I felt like I could not breathe. My emotions did not rise and fall gently. They hit hard. Fast. All at once.
There were moments when I felt like I was lit from the inside out. Talking fast, thinking faster, full of energy, I could not contain. And then there were moments when everything in me slowed to a stop, when even getting out of bed felt like trying to move through cement.
I had obsessions that would not let me go. Thoughts that replayed over and over no matter how badly I wanted them to stop. I had compulsions that felt urgent and necessary, even when I did not understand why. I just knew that if I did not do them, the discomfort inside me would grow until it was unbearable.
I did not understand any of it. I only understood that I felt different.
And in the 1980s, there was no space for a child to say that out loud and be heard.
Mental illness was not a conversation. It was something people ignored, minimized, or brushed aside. The idea that a child could be living with something real, something clinical, something that needed support, was not part of how people thought.
So I was labeled.
Too sensitive.
Too emotional.
Too much.
My mother was doing the best she could, but like so many families at the time, she did not have the tools or the language to see what was really happening. So when I spiraled, it was called a temper tantrum. When I shut down, it was assumed I was just tired.
I was often told to go lie down and take a nap.
I remember going to my room, lying there, staring at the ceiling, my mind still racing, my chest still tight, my thoughts still looping. Nothing had changed except now I was alone with it.
That does something to a child.
It teaches you to doubt yourself.
It teaches you to hide.
It teaches you that what you are experiencing is not something anyone is going to help you understand.
So you carry it. Quietly. For years.
It wasn’t until I got clean and sober at 30 that I finally heard the words that would change everything. Bipolar disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
I wish I could say that moment felt like relief. In some ways, it did. But it also hurt. Because it meant looking back at my life and realizing how long I had been struggling without knowing why.
At the same time, it gave me something I had never had before.
An explanation.
A name.
A truth I could finally hold onto.
I was not failing. I was not broken. I was living with conditions that had never been recognized.
But even with that understanding, the world does not suddenly become more compassionate.
When I was working at a local school, I saw just how quickly people turn fear into judgment. After being hospitalized due to a medication crisis, an overdose caused by being overmedicated by a former psychiatrist, I became the subject of whispers.
Even though I had never experienced an episode at work, people called me “unhinged.”
That word sticks with you. It follows you. It reduces everything you are into something small and easy for others to dismiss.
In small communities, those labels move fast. And once they are out there, they are hard to take back.
I was no longer being seen for my work, my dedication, or my character. I was being seen through the narrow lens of a diagnosis that people did not understand. The environment shifted. It became heavy. Uncomfortable. Unsafe.
Not because I could not do my job, but because I was no longer being treated like a person.
So I left.
Not because I was incapable.
But because I refused to stay somewhere that stripped me of my dignity.
And that is what stigma does. It does not just hurt feelings. It costs people their sense of safety. Their opportunities. Their place in the world.
We need to talk about why.
The brain is an organ. It is not separate from the body. It can become ill, just like the heart, lungs, or liver. If someone were in heart failure, we would not question their strength or their effort. If someone were in liver failure, we would not tell them to go lie down and hope it passes.
We would show up.
We would act.
We would care.
But when the brain is involved, something shifts.
Suddenly, it becomes personal.
Suddenly, it becomes something people judge.
Something they fear.
Something they distance themselves from.
Mental illness is not a character flaw. It is not a lack of discipline. It is not a choice.
It is a health condition.
And the cost of pretending otherwise is written all over stories like mine.
Living with bipolar disorder and OCD has challenged me in ways that are hard to put into words, but it has also shaped me in ways I carry with me every single day. It has made me deeply empathetic. It has taught me how to sit with pain, not run from it. It has shown me what resilience really looks like.
I know what it feels like to be inside a mind that will not let you rest. I also know what it feels like to keep going anyway.
If this makes you uncomfortable, sit with that feeling. Do not turn away from it. If it challenges what you thought you knew, let it. Because this is not rare.
One in five adults in the United States lives with mental illness.
That means this is not someone else’s story. It is happening all around you.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we need more than awareness. We need honesty. We need compassion that is not conditional.
Check on people. Really check on them. Not just the ones who seem to be struggling, but especially the ones who seem to have it all together. The ones who show up, perform, smile, and keep moving no matter what is happening inside them.
Those are often the people carrying the most.
I want a world where people with mental illness are not treated with suspicion. Where we do not have to choose between our health and our careers. Where being honest about what we live with does not come with consequences.
We are not broken.
We are not “crazy.”
We are human beings living with an illness.
And we deserve dignity.
We deserve safety.
We deserve to be seen.
I am still here. I am still doing the work. I am still choosing to speak.
Because if one person reads this and feels less alone, then every word is worth it.
Mental health is health.
—Michele L. Weichman is a longtime St. Thomas resident, business owner, educator, writer, mentor, advocacy worker and editor. She is the founder and president of Weichy Wisdom, LLC and serves as the main editor for the Virgin Islands Source.
Editor’s Note: Opinion articles do not represent the views of the Virgin Islands Source newsroom and are the sole expressed opinion of the writer. Submissions can be made to visource@gmail.com.
________________________________________________________________________
National Mental Health ResourcesNational Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 (Call or text 24/7)
988lifeline.orgFree and confidential support for people in distress.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
800-950-NAMI (6264)
nami.orgEducation, advocacy, support groups for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
