A holistic wellness centre has been established to cater for mental health issues — from simple stress at work to severe depression and anxiety.

Set in a calm, spa-style environment, Solstice has an open-door policy and will take on self-referrals as well as referrals from psychiatric services, GPs, parents, teachers, school counsellors and government agencies.

The facility, on Pitts Bay Road, offers comprehensive psychological assessment and a wide range of evidence-based therapies and interventions for children, adults and families.

It has an in-house team of ten clinicians, almost entirely Bermudian, and draws on an extensive network of clinicians in the community who can provide other specialist therapies, including speech and language, equine and occupational therapies.

Among the classes and groups is a popular evidence-based Lego therapy aimed at building social skills in children aged between four and eight, while another group is offered to young girls with issues surrounding self-esteem and body image.

There are also mindfulness groups that are aimed at the general public, whether or not they have mental health issues, to promote general wellness within the community including yoga and meditation.

The centre is owned by Bermudian clinical social worker Kelly Madeiros, and British senior clinical psychologist Eloise Pitts Crick, the executive director.

Ms Madeiros told ‘The Royal Gazette’: “We wanted to incorporate not just services for people who have mental illness or who are in crisis but also a place where people can build and maintain wellness and mental resilience.

“Our practice offers a spa-like experience where everyone gets treated equally and to a very high standard. An assessment takes place to understand what the presenting issues and needs are, and from there an appropriate wellness care package gets put together.”

Dr Pitts Crick added: “We incorporate a wide variety of different therapies, ranging from comprehensive psychological assessment through to art therapy through to clinical dietitian services, and then we have therapeutic yoga on the other end of the spectrum, so we offer a very holistic package.

“Our clients come with all manner of problems — bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, work stress, grief or bereavement — there is a big spectrum.

“I don’t think there is any other service here that offers the wide range of therapies that we offer and we also have an established network of outside clinicians whose work we rate highly.

“Our clinicians, including clinical social workers and psychologists, are all trained to treat severe mental illness but are also skilled at dealing with the less pathological end of the spectrum.”

After an assessment, it will be decided whether a client needs individual therapy, group therapy or counselling, and the clinicians also offer school and home visits.

As part of its holistic remit, Solstice can offer multiple therapies in one package.

Dr Pitts Crick explained: “A child may come in who is suffering from depression and is self-harming. They could also be using food as a crutch rather than a nurturing activity, or may be restricting their eating in an attempt to feel in control of their situation.

“They would initially be offered an assessment then may be referred to a psychologist. If they have developed a distorted set of beliefs about a healthy diet this could be supplemented by a referral to the clinical dietitian.”

Ms Madeiros added: “They could also be referred to the body image and self-esteem programme so that would be three services there that someone could get in one package.”

It is hoped that the services will eventually expand to be able to fill any gaps in the market — services that are not yet being offered by anyone else.

The facility does not deal with intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment or services for seniors that may include dementia and Alzheimer’s, for which there are already specialised facilities.

Launched in March, the facility has already served about 150 people and covered more than 1,000 visits.

Ms Madeiros said that confidentiality was of the utmost importance and that no one but the clinician dealing with the client would have access to clients’ documents without permission.

Quality of service is also a priority and all clinicians are actively supervised to ensure high standards, whether through peer or clinical supervision based on a British supervision model.

Solstice aims to encourage and support young Bermudians interested in entering the mental health service industry through internship and work experience opportunities.

For more information visit www.solstice.bm, e-mail info@solstice.bm or call 292-3456. The facility is based at Falconer House, 108 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke.