Miss Global Jamaica 2025 and first runner-up at Miss Global 2025, Keri-Ann Greenwood says she is appreciative of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness’ perspective on mental illness.

The beauty queen, who made a courtesy call at Jamaica House on Tuesday, told Observer Online that she appreciates the prime imnister’s “genuine eagerness” over the issue.

“The highlight of my visit was hearing his insightful perspective on mental wellness, particularly his recognition of the pandemic’s profound impact on the people of Jamaica. I also appreciated his genuine eagerness to hear my views and learn about my vision to create a lasting legacy for individuals on their journey of rehabilitation,” said Greenwood.

The meeting also highlighted Keri-Ann’s journey in pageantry, her impressive achievement of receiving the highest placement for a Jamaican woman in international pageantry since Miss World, Toni-Ann Singh, in 2019, and her growing role as a national ambassador for Jamaican culture and wellness. The prime minister expressed admiration for her achievements on the global stage and opened the conversation with interest in the diverse standards and structures of international pageantry.

Greenwood compared the systems of various franchises and described Miss Global as “the Olympics of international pageantry.” She emphasised that despite the pageant being hosted in the Eastern Hemisphere, the Miss Global competition centered on inner beauty, community involvement, and cultural representation—qualities she believes should define global beauty standards.

The conversation later focused on the topic of mental health in Jamaica, a cause which is close to Greenwood’s heart. She shared the story behind her initiative, The Ferguson Foundation, which focuses on mental health aftercare, relapse prevention, and societal reintegration.

The foundation was inspired by her personal experience of losing both parents — most notably her mother, who suffered from schizophrenia.

Prime Minister Holness heaped praise on Greenwood’s proactive efforts in creating tangible solutions, referencing the importance of public health and public education in tackling mental health stigma.

The prime minister also took interest in Greenwood’s academic pursuit of International Relations at the University of the West Indies and lauded her potential to become a future diplomatic and cultural ambassador for Jamaica. Discussions concluded on a hopeful note with encouragement from the prime minister for future collaborations, particularly in the areas of tourism, youth advocacy, and international representation.

This meaningful exchange signals an exciting new chapter in Greenwood’s journey as an advocate and emerging leader and reflects the Miss Global Jamaica franchise’s continued commitment to merging elegance with purpose.

So, what’s next for Greenwood?

“I plan to use my platform to amplify the voices of the voiceless and officially launch my initiative as early as September. My goal is to begin the aftercare program this year by selecting at least 10 individuals from Bellevue Hospital. I will be working closely with the Managing Director Dr Maria Hamilton, as well as engaging potential sponsors, to help bring this vision to life,” she said.