The Island’s stance is evolving when it comes to mental health, from the pilot mental health court programme to efforts under way at the Human Rights Commission.

A panel discussion to be held tonight by the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation will explore the changes under way in our attitudes to mental health, including frank talk from persons living with psychological disorders.

Board member Jodi Lewis described tonight’s free talk, to be held in the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute at 6.30pm, as an open forum to discuss mental health challenges in Bermuda.

“Attitudes are changing with our younger demographic,” Ms Lewis said, in the wake of educational talks at the Bermuda High School for Girls, Somersfield Academy and Elliott Primary School.

“With our older generation, I guess because it’s not something that is talked about, there is still a challenge.

Ms Lewis likened the shift in attitudes to the way cancer is viewed: “Over time, it’s become more acceptable to discuss,” she said. “In the past, people just didn’t want to talk about it.”