The inspiring story of Antoniette, the first GZ-psychologist in the Caribbean area who fought to achieve her dream. This is her journey and the challenges she faced, along with her perspective on the importance of breaking the mental health taboo in Aruba.
Antoniette grew up with one dream: to become a Psychologist.
The challenge was great, but at the age of 17, she went to the Netherlands to study and achieved her propedeuse in her first year at HBO Hogeschool Utrecht. “Initially, I did not believe that my dream of becoming a psychologist would be possible as I was struggling to finish my HAVO at Colegio Arubano.” However, with the achievement of her propedeuse, the door opened for Antoniette to continue her education at the university level. In 2012, she graduated from the University of Utrecht; her dream became a reality but even though she couldn't stay in the Netherlands, she knew she was not done. Antoniette returned to Aruba with more challenges to face.
Antoniette returned to Aruba after studying in the Netherlands, not because she wanted to, but because she could not find work in the Netherlands. She planned to work a few years in Aruba and then go back to the Netherlands. But in the end, she decided to stay in Aruba. She understands the difficulty of returning to your island when the opportunities for 'young professionals' are limited. But she has a very important message to share with our community through her story. "In the end, I decided to stay in Aruba and my goal, whatever it takes, is to create what I feel is lacking. Dreams do come true, right? So 'manos a la obra.' This is why it is important to motivate our 'young professionals' to come back home! Now I have been working in the field of Psychology for 11 years. Together with my partner, we have a 6-year-old child. In 2022, I graduated as the first GZP-Psychologist who studied in the Caribbean area. In my career journey, I worked at EPB schools and then at Respaldo. With tears in my eyes, on the first day of January 2023, I decided to go private and open my own psychology practice called Psyched Aruba.
BREAKING THE MENTAL HEALTH TABOO IN ARUBA
Mental health is still a taboo in Aruba, and this is something Antoniette wants to change. "I have clients who choose not to tell their families that they are receiving treatment, for fear of being seen as crazy. This surprises me, because if your foot is broken or if you are sick, you go to the doctor, why not seek help for your mental health? One difference I see is that young people today are increasingly asking their parents that they want help and want to talk to someone. The 'rise of TikTok' is helping immensely to break the stigma and taboo about mental health.”
NOT EVERYONE CAN CALL THEMSELVES A PSYCHOLOGIST
Antoniette sees the importance of protecting the title of a psychologist, something that is not possible in Aruba. In the field of psychology regrettably, the title of psychologist is not protected. Anyone can call themselves a psychologist. To give the client a view on quality we see for example in the Netherlands the BIG-register where the titles therein such as the GZ-psychologist or the Clinical Psychologist are protected titles."
THE CROSSROADS TO SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL HELP
"In Aruba, there is still difficulty in getting specialized professional help. Especially after COVID-19 we could see a larger 'demand' for psychological help, which exceeds the 'supply' that exists." Antoniette compares this with a boxing ring, where you find yourself in a constant struggle. "By the time you dare to seek help, you find yourself as in a boxing ring, in one corner of the ring a huge waiting list comes out punching you. You look down and see your coach, your basic insurance, with a white towel in hand. The referee counts down 10, 9, 8, AZV+ for civil servants and those alike only covers partial costs, 7, 6, 5, Aruba does not have psychological help in the basic package, 4, 3, 2, one Happy Island." She hopes there will be more insurance coverage for psychological sessions in Aruba in the future. “Far off there is a light at the end of the tunnel. How beautiful it is to see certain private companies providing their employees with insurance that covers psychological sessions. Where the employee, his home, and children, every year, can make use of private services, important services for mental health. Hats off!
What can we expect from your columns in Xclusivo Magazine?
"This is the era of consolidating information. At the tip of your finger, you can get any information, AI technology is dominating the scene, content creators that make you curious are the ones that reach people the most. I hope to make the members of Xclusivo curious with my topics about mental health. In the process, perhaps raising awareness in our community, breaking stigmas, and motivating politics and laws that facilitate access to mental health help. I'm not asking much, just dreaming a little more. And dreams do come true."
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