St Brendan’s Hospital, for many years, was known as the “pink place on the hill”.
That crude nickname reflected the hushed tones surrounding mental health in Bermuda in the 20th Century – it was the institution nobody wanted to talk about.
But while health officials believe we still have some way to go to alleviate our deep-rooted stigma, in recent months we’ve taken some crucial steps in the right direction.
Two new residential facilities – Bridge House in Somerset, and Tarheel House in Devonshire – provide community-based support for people with mental health needs who previously lived at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, formerly St Brendan’s.
“One of the most important changes that we are working towards is shifting the focus from institutional care to treatment within the community,” Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, told us.
“This isn’t just a change in setting. It’s a shift in mindset. When people access support in familiar, everyday environments, surrounding by families and support systems, they tend to recover more effectively and feel more empowered in their own care.
“But equally important is the impact this has on reducing stigma. By treating mental health like any other health issue, something that can be managed in the community without isolation or shame, we are sending a powerful message that people living with mental health challenges are not defined by their diagnosis. They are part of our communities, and they deserve to be supported with dignity and respect.”
The more we normalise mental health care, the more open our society becomes.
“That openness is key to early intervention, better outcomes and long-term change,” Ms Wilson said.
“This reform is about building a system that works better for individuals, for families and for Bermuda as a whole.”
Community support
The Bermuda Mental Health Foundation has worked alongside MWI to settle low-risk clients from institutional accommodation back into the community.
James MacDonald, chairman of the BMHF, said: “The Bermuda Mental Health Foundation provides safe and supportive housing for individuals facing mental health challenges.
“By creating environments that promote stability and recovery, we aim to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
“At the same time, BMHF remains dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness, challenging misconceptions and advocating for a community built on understanding, acceptance, and respect for all.”
Stigma is a barrier to support
Six years ago, more than 9,000 people in Bermuda were estimated to suffer from mental disorders by a Mental Health Situation Analysis Report by Public Health England and the Pan American Health Organisation.
Yet 84 per cent of people who needed treatment were not getting it.
That report recommended switching from MWI to community-based support, a measure which was undertaken in MWI’s 2021-2026 Directorate Plan.
Ms Wilson said stigma carries extra weight in Bermuda’s tight-knit community.
“Mental health stigma is a significant issue globally, and particularly in Bermuda because of the size of the jurisdiction, where everyone knows one another,” she said.
“We have seen surveys that shows stigma impacts people’s daily lives and leads to them avoiding social situations or seeking mental healthcare, because of the judgment that may be associated with that.”
Speak empathetically
Ms Wilson said people use words like “crazy” to talk about people with mental health challenges.
“We still hear people speak to St Brendan’s as the pink place on the hill, in a disparaging way,” she continued.
“In our common language, people are using words that may well increase the stigma for someone who might well have health challenges.
“All that negative language compounds the issue of stigma that we see in Bermuda. If I hear people using those comments, I’m going to be reluctant to raise my hand to seek help because people might think there’s something wrong with me.”
She urged people to be more empathetic.
“We need to start replacing the judgement with compassion and treat mental health challenges the same as we do with physical challenges like a broken limb,” she said.
“If I’m walking down the street and I have my arm in a cast, nobody’s going to look at me twice. They may say, ‘Oh what happened,’ or open the door for me.”
Young people provide hope
When someone experiences a mental health challenge, she said many older people adhere to the attitude of “pull yourself together” – but she believes this mindset is starting to change.
“The younger generation is becoming far more aware of raising your hand and speaking about mental health issues, which I love,” she said.
“Oftentimes they will say, ‘I’m seeing a counsellor,’ like you might say, ‘I’m getting a physical.’ I love that. We are seeing an acknowledgement that it’s OK to raise your hand and say I need some help.”
Ministry initiatives include a Community Adolescent Mental Health Training Programme at which participants undergo a Youth Mental Health First Aid.
“That’s critically important,” Ms Wilson said. “We are starting that initiative with adolescents so that young people can at least be a resource for their friends.”
The Community Outreach Programme will be a similar initiative for adults.
“We will be doing this kind of outreach at places like the sports clubs and the churches, where people congregate,” Ms Wilson said.
“If you’re a pastor or a football coach, for example, and you are observing certain behaviours, we want to be able to train you, so that you know this is where you can send people for help, so that they’re not suffering in silence.”
She said the Ministry remains committed to modernising Bermuda’s Mental Health Act so that it reflects “the kind of compassionate, modern approach that people deserve”.
In the meantime, she encouraged people to get help, however reluctant they might feel.
“Anyone might have a mental health issue. It can be connected to issues surrounding anxiety or depression, employment, the loss of a loved one,” she said.
“It’s OK to say I need help, I need someone to help me navigate this season in my life right now so I can be a better person to myself, to my family and to my community.”
