More than 1,000 people in Bermuda suffer from a form of mental illness at any one time, according to an expert in mental health.

Dr. Gavin Tennent, a consultant psychiatrist at St. Brendan's Hospital, yesterday told the Hamilton Lions that one in 50 people would be affected by schizophrenia or manic depression, the two most common mental illnesses.

And he told the meeting that mental illness was the third commonest cause of time off work and had affected famous people like Mr. Charles Dickens and Mr.

Howard Hughes.

Dr. Tennent was speaking to the Lions to enlist their support for the fledgling Bermuda Mental Health Foundation, set up late last year.

"The chances of any of us developing a mental illness are greater than developing AIDS or cancer and many people will never fully recover. Yet it is a taboo topic in society.

"People suffering from a major mental illness must endure the double hardship of a very distressing disorder and a degree of social rejection. Such people deserve our help,'' he said.

The Foundation, the only Bermuda charity specifically targeted to provide for the needs of the mentally ill, has already secured an apartment that will be home for six mentally ill people, but it needs alterations and refurbishment.

Dr. Tennent said the charity wanted to provide more places for the mentally ill to live within the community, develop support groups for sufferers and their families and enlist people to act as advocates.

In five to ten years, he said, the Foundation hoped to have places for between 50 and 60 people, already living in the community but in poor conditions.

"These people need an opportunity to have a decent home life and opportunities for recreation and because Bermuda is an island it has a unique opportunity to provide effective community care.

"More than 1,000 people in Bermuda suffer from either manic depression or schizophrenia at any one time. Some will only partially recover. The Foundation is something that is worthy of support,'' added Dr. Tennent.

Dr. Gavin Tennent