A series of powerful videos has been launched in continuing efforts to curb violence and offer opportunities for healing across the island.

Echoes Like Us captures the voices of men who share their reflections on pain, resilience and hope.

The series is part of the Stop the Violence campaign led by the Ministry of National Security through its gang violence reduction team and in partnership with 7 South Productions.

Described as “real stories from men who have faced violence and chosen a different path”, it is a cornerstone of the island’s National Violence Reduction Strategy, the Government said.

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, added: “This campaign captures what Bermuda needs most right now — truth, compassion and connection.

“Stop the Violence and Echoes Like Us remind us that prevention starts with understanding, empathy and community.

“These are real people telling real stories and their courage is helping us build safer, stronger communities across Bermuda.”

In the intimate short films, men offer insights into their experiences and share thoughts on what helped to steer them towards positive paths in life.

Jaizel Smith-DeShields, a North Village footballer and Belco apprentice, told how strong family connections played a key part in keeping young people “away from the streets”.

“Everything starts from the household,” he said in a video.

“Even though I was struggling or didn’t have everything … my household was always strong, you know. I had my guidance.”

Mr Smith-DeShields spoke about the support he received from his parents.

Noting that children did not need hand-holding their whole lives, he added: “As long as you’re there for school games or small activities, football, whatever sport they do, as long as you have that household, it will steer you away from the streets because all you’re going to want is to make your parents proud or go the right route.

“If your parents are teaching you the right things, you’re going to do the right things.

“If your parents are coming home being negative or not caring about you, not being that guidance to you, then you’re going to go to the streets because that’s the easiest way.

“There’s guys on the streets that are going to guide you — guide you the wrong route, but it’s a guidance.

“That’s all that youth look for, it’s just guidance … it’s just whoever’s there for them.

“It’s just lost souls looking for somebody to help them and if your parents [are] not there, then the streets are going to be there.

“I would say that’s a big part with me — my family.”

Adrian Roach, who made his professional boxing debut in July, said in his message: “There’s a lot to live for, there’s a lot of life … I haven’t seen yet.”

He said: “Growing up in Bermuda, it’s easy to get caught in this mindset of … big fish in a little pond, you know?

“So you think you’re the biggest, you think you’re the best and you just don’t know, so you go away and you realise that there is a lot of world out there to explore and you do certain things — you get in the wrong fight, you do the wrong thing — and then all of a sudden you’re bound to one island and you can’t explore the world.”

Meanwhile, Donté Brangman, an educator and mentor as well as a Southampton Rangers, said: “If I had a message for a young person that’s on the fringe of going this way or that way, I would say, first, ask yourself why.

“Why am I even going down that path? Because there’s only really two things that can come out of it — and that’s jail or losing your life.”

He added: “I would say, find a purpose in life, do something positive with your life, be the best at it and do what makes you happy.”

Shiloh Todd, a businessman, highlighted the importance of talking to people when feelings run deep.

“Not everybody’s going to understand your pain that you go through; that’s just your own self-journey,” he said.

Mr Todd added: “You can’t do this on your own, you need someone to be there for you when you’re down and hurting.”

Jahquil Hill, an educator, mentor and goalkeeper for Dandy Town, talked about grief and the lasting impact of losing somebody.

In a message to anyone struggling with loss, he urged “talk about it to someone, even if it’s somebody that you’re close to. Let it out, only because it will feel better.

“Holding on to things is never good, especially when it’s something that you can’t understand.”

The Government said that the Stop the Violence campaign uses “storytelling, partnership and creative media to raise awareness, promote healing and strengthen community unity”.

Videos produced by secondary school pupils were aired earlier.

The latest seriesspotlights Bermudian men who have faced loss, violence and recovery, the Government said, adding: “Through intimate interviews and cinematic visuals, Echoes Like Us captures raw truths about pain, resilience and hope, creating space for healing and dialogue across the island.”

A “break the silence” mental health awareness campaign is scheduled to launch next month.

Dion Green, an art director at 7 South Productions, said: “It’s been a pleasure working with the ministry on a project that reaches and touches the lives of so many.

“While filming, it’s been emotional, real and at times hard, but the power of storytelling is undeniable.

“The campaign’s impact, both in numbers and in reach, is like nothing I’ve seen before.”

More than 300,000 video views of Stop the Violence campaign content have been logged across Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Leroy Bean, the Government’s gang violence reduction co-ordinator, said: “I encourage people to sit down with their kids and watch these campaigns, talk about them, share them with others and have real, hard, honest conversations with each other and within our families.

“These stories are meant to move us towards understanding and action.

“I also want to thank the more than 100 people who have participated in the campaign’s efforts so far — your voices and courage are what make this movement real.”

• To watch the videos and learn more, visitstoptheviolencebda.com