HIV Watch: St. Vincent and the Grenadines is seeing a spike in HIV cases, with new positives clustering among young adults (25–29) and older men (60+), while women still test in higher numbers—health officials are urging safer sex and reminding people you can’t tell by looking. Mental Health Reform: The Ministry has appointed Cuban consultant psychiatrist Dr. Eloy Asanza Castillo to the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre, ending about a decade-long specialist gap, as the country shifts toward destigmatization, community-based care, and reducing long-term institutionalization. Mental Health Staffing Strain: Reports from the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre highlight severe nurse shortages and extreme patient-to-nurse ratios, adding pressure to an already stretched system. GI Illness Warning: Ahead of Carnival, officials report a surge in gastrointestinal cases—especially vomiting and diarrhea—blaming lapses in hand hygiene and urging frequent handwashing for everyone, including children. STI Testing Uptick: Planned Parenthood says more people are coming forward for STI testing, and it’s encouraging regular check-ups during the Carnival season. Cancer Loss: A St. Vincent Girls’ High School student, Morica DaSilva, died of stage 4 cancer on her graduation day. Violence and Care: Police are investigating a fatal shooting in Canouan (June 24) and a separate Great House, Lowmans Leeward shooting (June 23) that left one dead and two injured, with victims treated at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Legal Action: Lawyer Carlos James says he will sue the government over alleged police abuse involving mentally ill patients, including claims of brutality while in custody and at hospital grounds.