“Fill Your Cup”: Louisiana National Guard Pours Support to Belize Military’s Mental Health Initiatives

“Nobody can take care of you better than you. You can’t pour from an empty cup; you need to think of ways to fill your cup,” advised Chaplain Page Brooks from the Louisiana National Guard state chaplain, during the Belize Defence Force’s Wellness Exchange in Ladyville, Belize, in August. The program supported the wellness exchange to enhance mental health practices among Belize’s military personnel. 

The four-day program, which was held in Ladyville, Belize, involved Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors from Belize’s military branches.

Megan Aspinall of the BDF highlighted the initiative’s impact, saying, “The BDF Wellness Program came about as the force recognized that the serving members were experiencing mental health issues that were affecting deployment readiness.” According to the Louisiana National Guard, the program has led to significant improvements, including the opening of a new wellness centre and a decrease in the suicide rate.

Louisiana National Guard’s Resilience Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Program coordinator, Amber Sayer, noted the universal nature of mental health challenges, stating, “Beyond cultural differences, our servicemen and women experience the exact same stigma, risk factors, financial, and moral concerns.”