Clear Blue Sky (CBS, Inc) and The Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (VIUCEDD) hosted a Mental Health Forum on The importance of Support in Recovery from Mental Illness on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at the University of the Virgin Islands.
The following distinguished speakers made insightful contributions.
Dr. Leighman Lou is one of six psychiatrists in the U.S. Virgin Islands and has worked here for 38 years. At present he is the Psychiatrist at the Bureau of Corrections and the Division of Mental Health. He has dedicated his life to Mental Health in the Virgin Islands and also has a private practice in Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dilsa Capdeville, MSW started as a student case worker with the Social Welfare Department. Committed to helping children and families, Ms. Capdeville co-founded the Women’s Resource Center with Attorney Edith Bornn and Alice Hamilton 30 years ago. Sixteen years ago she started Kidscope an advocacy agency for children of domestic violence, abuse and family dysfunction. Ms. Capdeville continues to help children and families who have difficulties.
Lori Thompson, Ph.D. grew up in St. Thomas and graduated from All Saints School. She received her masters and doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Thompson has over 15 years of experience and currently works at Schneider Regional Medical Center, the Bureau of Corrections and at Insight Psychological Services, LLC.
Leia Benjamin is a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School. In her first year at UVI her schooling was curtailed by a mental illness. Now Leia is working daily to recover and return to school to pick-up where her life was interrupted. Her biggest desire is to help in the home environment and change some things in the court system.
Margaret Spencer is a family member and an advocate for people with mental illness. She is also a trained teacher in the NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program.
Reba Fahie is a graduate of the Eudora Kean High School. She won the high school beauty contest in 1979. Since 1984 Ms. Fahie has struggled with a mental illness and is now working on her own recovery with the help of family, professionals and CBS.
Luz Moron retired from the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue in 2000. She wanted to give back to her community and while searching for a support group for a relative, Mrs. Moron encountered and joined Clear Blue Sky, Inc. in 2008. She has been board secretary since 2009 and enjoys working closely with the Executive Director, the members and staff of Clear Blue Sky, Inc.
Sue Boland is the Development Manager at Guardian Insurance Company (a member of the Lockhart Group of Companies) and a pioneer in hiring people with mental illness on St. Thomas.
Thank you all for your continued support of Clear Blue Sky!
