The Samaritan Movement
The Samaritan Movement is an initiative of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, working to build resilient children, families, schools, parishes, and communities across Trinidad and Tobago.
Rooted in the Gospel’s call to compassion and neighbourly care, the Movement brings together faith, research, mental health awareness, trauma-informed practice, and community-based support to respond to the needs of those most affected by trauma, violence, self-harm, and emotional distress.
Who We Are
The Samaritan Movement was born out of a growing awareness that many children, families, teachers, caregivers, and communities in Trinidad and Tobago are carrying deep emotional wounds, often without adequate support.
Commissioned through the Archdiocese of Port of Spain and connected to the Catholic Commission for Social Justice, the Movement seeks to listen first, respond with compassion, and build practical systems of care that are culturally rooted, evidence-informed, and grounded in faith.
Inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Movement invites all people to stop, listen, accompany, and act.
Why We Exist
Across Trinidad and Tobago, schools, parishes, families, and communities are encountering the effects of trauma, violence, grief, self-harm, suicide, and mental health challenges.
The Samaritan Movement exists to help strengthen the capacity of communities to respond with wisdom, compassion, and practical support. Rather than working in isolation, the Movement seeks to connect existing resources, support caregivers and professionals, and create a coordinated response to the mental health and trauma-related needs facing our nation.
At the heart of this work is a simple conviction: healing begins when people are heard.
Our Approach
The Samaritan Movement uses a “ground-up” approach that begins by listening to those closest to the reality of pain and need. In schools, communities, and pastoral settings, the Movement asks:
What are you seeing?
What are your needs?
What do you see as possible solutions?
This listening process helps shape programmes, training, research, and resources that respond to real local experiences rather than imported assumptions.
The Movement’s work is:
Faith-rooted — grounded in Catholic social teaching, human dignity, and the Gospel call to care for the wounded.
Trauma-informed — attentive to the impact of trauma on children, adults, families, schools, and communities.
Evidence-based — shaped by research, data, professional insight, and ongoing evaluation.
Culturally responsive — developed in dialogue with local voices, Caribbean realities, and Trinidad and Tobago’s lived experience.
Community-centred — focused on strengthening relationships, support systems, and networks of care.
Key Areas of Work
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
The Samaritan Movement supports training and awareness efforts that help clergy, pastoral workers, educators, parents, and community leaders recognise signs of emotional distress, self-harm, and suicide risk, and respond with care.
Trauma-Informed Education
Through partnerships with schools and educational leaders, the Movement supports trauma-informed approaches that help teachers and school communities better understand behaviour, emotional distress, classroom culture, and student wellbeing.
Children, Youth, and Families
The Movement works to support children and young people by strengthening the adults and systems around them, including parents, teachers, caregivers, mentors, and parish communities.
Research and Local Knowledge
The Samaritan Movement contributes to research on trauma, resilience, wellbeing, and faith-integrated healing in Trinidad and Tobago, helping ensure that programmes are grounded in local realities and shaped by local voices.
Community and Pastoral Support
The Movement seeks to build a wider network of care within the Archdiocese and beyond, connecting people to existing supports, resources, and communities of accompaniment.
Current Initiatives
Wellness Directory
A practical resource designed to help individuals, families, schools, parishes, and communities identify available services and supports related to mental health, wellbeing, family life, education, and pastoral care.
Mental Health First Aid and Suicide First Aid
Training and awareness initiatives designed to equip pastoral workers, clergy, educators, and community leaders with basic tools to recognise and respond to persons experiencing mental health challenges, self-harm, or suicide risk.
Trauma-Informed Teacher Training
School-based training and support designed to help educators understand trauma, strengthen classroom relationships, and create more compassionate and resilient school environments.
Horizons Programme
A youth-focused initiative that connects vulnerable children and young people with members of the diplomatic community and other partners through cultural exchange, mentorship, exposure, and relationship-building.
Calming Troubled Waters
A media and formation initiative that creates space for conversation around uncertainty, mental health, parenting, faith, trauma, and healing.
Every person has dignity. Every story matters. Every community can become a place of healing. The Samaritan Movement invites schools, parishes, families, professionals, and community partners to join in building a culture of listening, accompaniment, and care. Together, We Heal.