If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the Accident & Emergency department at the hospital on Hospital Road, George Town. For ongoing support, the Health Services Authority (HSA) runs public mental health services for children, teens, adults and older people at Smith Road Medical Centre, bookable on (345) 949-8600, and young people aged 10 to 20 can walk in to Alex's Place at the hospital.
Whatever brought you here, reaching out is a good step, and you do not have to work it all out alone. This guide covers what to do in a crisis, which phone lines exist and what they are for, public mental health services in the Cayman Islands, support for teenagers, how to find and check a therapist in Grand Cayman, insurance, workplace help and where to start if you are new to the island.
What should I do if someone is in a mental health crisis in Cayman?
If someone may harm themselves or another person, or you believe their life is at risk, treat it as an emergency.
- Call 911. It is the emergency number for police, fire and ambulance across the Cayman Islands, and the number to call if anyone is in immediate danger, including from domestic violence (Explore Cayman emergency assistance).
- Go to Accident & Emergency. HSA lists its A&E department as one of its mental health resources. The hospital is at 95 Hospital Road, George Town. HSA pages call it the Cayman Islands Hospital, George Town Hospital or Anthony S. Eden Hospital, but these all mean the same site.
In September 2026 the HSA chief executive told the Public Accounts Committee that HSA is the only facility that admits acute mental health patients, so the hospital is where urgent mental health care happens. HSA runs an inpatient unit there with 24-hour specialised treatment for people who are acutely unwell.
Warning signs to take seriously
HSA highlights these warning signs of suicide:
- sadness or depression
- withdrawing from others
- hopelessness
- not seeming like themselves
- drastic changes in mood
If you notice these and the person is in danger, call 911. If they are not in immediate danger, gently encourage them towards professional help using the services below.
How to support someone who is struggling
HSA suggests you check in regularly, listen without judgement, gently encourage professional help and be patient. You do not need perfect words. Being there and listening is a real start.
If domestic abuse is involved
If someone is in danger now, call 911. The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre is a shelter and advice hub for victims of domestic violence and abuse, and its 24-hour crisis line is 345 943 2422.
Is there a mental health crisis line in Cayman?
We could not verify an official, government-run 24/7 mental health or suicide crisis line. In a mental health crisis in Cayman, the route is 911 or the hospital's A&E department.
There are phone lines for support that is not an emergency:
- Mental Health Helpline, 1-800-534-MIND (6463). The Department of Counselling Services announced it in March 2020, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and staffed by EAP, the Counselling Centre and the Cayman Islands Psychological Association. Cayman Compass reported in 2024 that it was rebranded as CayMind in 2023. Its founder has said the lay volunteers do not replace professional counselling, that helplines are generally for non-crisis support, and that anyone in an emergency should call 911. Current hours are not confirmed on an official page, so check before relying on it.
- Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, 345 943 2422. A 24-hour line for people in crisis, especially victims of domestic violence.
- Cayman Kids Helpline. Cayman Compass reported in March 2024 that a kids helpline had launched, and Cayman Compass has reported that the Alex Panton Foundation's initiatives include a KidsHelpline. Check the foundation's website for current contact details.
Who to contact, and when
Where can I get mental health help in the Cayman Islands?
Most public mental health services in the Cayman Islands are run by the HSA's Behavioural Health Department. Its team includes psychiatrists, neuropsychiatrists, psychologists, ABA and behaviour therapists, mental health nurses and clinical social workers, and it treats children, adolescents, adults and older adults (HSA Behavioural Health).
You are far from alone in looking for help. Mental Health Commission figures show more than 12,600 people sought mental health services in Cayman in 2022, with the largest group aged 25 to 44, followed by those aged 0 to 18.
HSA Behavioural Health outpatient clinic
If you are looking for depression help in the Cayman Islands, or support with anxiety, trauma or a neurodevelopmental condition, the outpatient clinic is the main public starting point. HSA says you can book by calling (345) 949-8600. Services listed include:
- Adult psychology: psychotherapy, bereavement counselling, stress management, psychological assessments and hypnotherapy
- Child psychology: trauma-focused intervention, psychotherapy, Theraplay and educational-psychology assessments
- ABA therapy
- Adult and child psychiatry
- Community care for people living with acute and chronic mental illness
- Other services: crisis intervention, consultation and liaison, forensic services, community outreach and public education
Day Centre and inpatient care
The Day Centre at 65 Smith Road (the former Light of the World building, across from Pines Drive) offers ongoing treatment, clinical help and social support so people can keep living in the community. The inpatient unit at the hospital has 11 beds: 8 for adults and 3 for adolescents.
Long-term rehabilitation at Poinciana
Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre in East End is a government residential facility for Cayman residents with serious and persistent mental illness. It focuses on rehabilitation and returning to the community, with nine cottages and room for 54 residents.
Help with alcohol and drug use
Caribbean Haven Residential Center, run by the Department of Counselling Services, offers residential substance-use treatment for men and women aged 18 and over, along with withdrawal management and assessment and referral services. Check current hours with the centre.
Services are expanding
In September 2026 the HSA chief executive said a four-bed adolescent unit is being put in place, and that Cabinet has provided $5 million to start procuring a purpose-built mental health facility for all ages.
Where can teenagers get mental health support in Cayman?
Young people aged 0 to 18 were the second-largest group using mental health services in 2022, and there is dedicated youth mental health support in Cayman.
Alex's Place
Alex's Place is HSA's Adolescent Mental Health Hub for young people aged 10 to 20. It opened in January 2023, launched with the Alex Panton Foundation and the Ministry of Health & Wellness. It is at the front of the hospital on Hospital Road, on the left after the main Atrium.
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm (HSA describes these as the hours currently offered)
- Phone: (345) 244-7856
- Walk-ins and referrals are both welcome
- Urgent needs: after triage, a young person may be taken to A&E
Children and teens can also be seen through HSA's child psychology and child psychiatry services at Smith Road Medical Centre.
The Alex Panton Foundation
The Alex Panton Foundation is a non-profit, founded in 2018 by Jane and Wayne Panton, that raises awareness of mental illness in children and young adults, with a focus on anxiety and depression. Its initiatives include a KidsHelpline and an Emotional Literacy Program, and its 9th annual Youth Mental Health Symposium in February 2026 drew more than 500 attendees. The foundation has also offered a virtual peer support group for teens aged 13 to 17 (contact support@alexpantonfoundation.ky). That page dates from the COVID-19 period, so check whether the group still runs.
Parents thinking about the wider pressures on young people may find our piece on screens, helpers, chatbots and who is raising Cayman's kids a useful read.
How do I find a therapist or counsellor in Grand Cayman?
There are two main routes to counselling in the Cayman Islands:
- Public: book with HSA Behavioural Health on (345) 949-8600 for psychology, counselling or psychiatry.
- Private: many licensed counsellors and psychologists work in private practices and clinics in Grand Cayman. You can also ask your GP.
How to check a therapist is licensed in Cayman
Counsellors and psychologists are licensed by the Council for Professions Allied with Medicine (CPAM). The Health Practice Commission, part of the Department of Health Regulatory Services, publishes lists of licensed practitioners with categories including Counselors/Therapists, Psychologist-Doctoral Level and Psychologist-Masters Level. Each entry shows the person's licence number, workplace and licence dates.
- Open the latest CPAM list of licensed practitioners (the newest we found is dated 31 December 2025).
- Find the therapist's name under the right category.
- Check the licence dates are current and the workplace matches where you will be seen.
- If you cannot find someone, contact the Health Practice Commission at the Government Administration Building, 133 Elgin Avenue, on (345) 949-2813 or (345) 946-2084.
Questions worth asking before you book
- What is your CPAM licence number?
- Will my insurance cover sessions with you?
- Does my insurer need a doctor's referral first?
Does Cayman health insurance cover therapy?
It depends on your policy. Under the Health Insurance Act (2021 Revision), everyone resident in the Cayman Islands must have at least the Standard Health Insurance Contract (SHIC). Employers must provide cover through an approved insurer for employees, plus an employee's unemployed spouse and dependent children living in Cayman. Self-employed people must arrange their own (Health Insurance Commission).
We could not confirm which mental health or therapy benefits the SHIC minimum or individual plans include. In January 2023, Cayman Compass reported mental health professionals calling for insurance to be required to cover therapy and other outpatient services. Before you book, ask your insurer:
- Does my plan cover outpatient therapy or counselling, and is there a limit per year?
- Must the therapist be licensed in Cayman, or do I need a doctor's referral?
- What cover is there for psychiatry and inpatient mental health care?
- Do I pay up front and claim back, or does the provider bill you directly?
For a fuller picture of hospitals and health cover, see our guide to Cayman Islands healthcare, hospitals and insurance for expats.
Can I get mental health support through work?
Ask your HR team whether your employer has an employee assistance programme (EAP) and what it includes. EAP was one of the groups that staffed the 2020 Mental Health Helpline, but we could not verify details of specific workplace schemes, so HR is the right place to ask. It is also worth asking HR for a copy of your employer health insurance policy so you can see what mental health care it covers.
I've just moved to Cayman and feel isolated: where can I find support?
Starting over somewhere new can be exciting and lonely at the same time, and there is no shame in asking for help. If you are a newcomer feeling isolated or low, you can use the same routes as everyone else:
- Talk to a GP about how you are feeling.
- Book with HSA Behavioural Health on (345) 949-8600.
- See a licensed private counsellor, checked against the CPAM list.
- Call the Mental Health Helpline on 1-800-534-MIND (6463) for non-crisis support, checking current hours first.
- Call 911 in an emergency.
Make sure your health insurance is in place, since residents are required to have at least SHIC. If you are still planning your move, our complete guide to moving to Cayman from the US covers the practical side.
Where can families and carers find support?
Supporting someone with a mental illness can be tiring. Loud Silent Voices is a support group for families and caregivers of people with mental illness, formed in 2011 at the Cayman Islands Hospital, offering education, support and counselling to family members. The information comes from an older HSA article, so ask HSA Behavioural Health whether the group still meets.
If someone close to you has been detained for compulsory mental health care, the Cayman Islands Mental Health Commission reviews appeals, and family members, friends and others close to the person can appeal.
Whatever your situation, help is available. If anyone is in danger, call 911.
