Radio program about mental health on Government radio

For the official article from Government of St. Maarten, click here. 

For recording of the episodes click here.

Next Level Thinking (NLT) is an initiative of the Department of Communication (DCOMM). This is a department that falls under the Ministry of General Affairs of the Government of Sint Maarten. 

The radio program has been aired on SXMGOV Radio 107.9 FM and is hosted for two seasons by members of APAP. The first program premiered on SXMGOV Radio 107.9FM on Monday October 22nd 2018 delivering an introduction to the science of Psychology.

NLT came about after the group, APAP SXM was recognized as an instrumental key stakeholder by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour (Ministry VSA) post Hurricane Irma to help schools and the general public at large to understand and deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other psychological reactions in the aftermath.

DCOMM finds it important to provide valued information the the general public via various programs in order to keep the community informed. It was after the first interview with APAP SXM on the DCOMM Program ‘Inside Government’ that it was realized how instrumental the topic of psychology, human behavior and thinking plays a major role in how we shape the future of Sint Maarten since becoming a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 

Topics covered in Season 1 of NLT are 1. psychology introduction (general introduction to psychology and what it entails); 2. stress in adults; 3. stress in children and adolescents; 4. why do we celebrate; 5. healthy lifestyle: alcohol/ drugs/ food; 6. dealing with the upcoming hurricane season; 7. positively influencing a child’s development; 8. what if your child is developing differently; 9. mental health, what does it mean and how is it to live with a psychiatric disorder; 10. life with a disability.

Throughout the various episode’s listeners will hear from a number of health professionals: Alexandra van Luijken developmental psychologist; Zuleima Violenus- Salmon neuropsychologist; Carmencita Chemont, health care psychologist; Stephanie Haseth, child and adolescent psychologist; Miranda Veltman, health care psychologist; Sanne Gruijters health care psychologist; Joyce Zwanenburg Pedagogue; Caroline van Oost, health care psychologist; Honey Sheridan, board certified behavior analyst; Henriette Scheurs-van Mil, Orthopedagogue.