The Minister of Health has stressed that while Mental Health Month may have come to an end, the work of the Government and its partners in removing stigma and promoting dialogue around the issue continues.

Kim Wilson said there will soon be the hiring of a national co-ordinator to drive Bermuda’s mental health campaign forward, there will be the recruitment of youth mental health advocates for the Youth Mental Health Plan and there will be promotions including on buses and via social media.

The Government is to update the Mental Health Act 1968 this legislative year, aiming to align it more closely with UK standards and enhance protections for individuals’ rights.

Mental Health Awareness Month took place throughout May and included a host of community engagements and activities.

Ms Wilson said that one of the recommendations of the Acute Adult Mental Health Integrated Care Pathway Report published last April was addressing stigma and raising awareness.

She told The Royal Gazette: “In that vein, we have continued the dialogue in so far as the community and engagement activities that we had in May.

“The slogan for the campaign is We Are Not An Island. We are trying to remind everyone that no one should stand alone when it comes to mental health.

“The activities will continue, we are looking for a national co-ordinator to help to drive our mental health campaign and, in that vein, we also have the Youth Mental Health Plan in collaboration with Daniel Cavanagh [chief researcher] at the Bermuda College.

“He will be championing the plan and is trying to get a group of young individuals to help form the board to drive that.

“The preference is that they will have a mental health background and that they are able to facilitate, organise and manage the initiatives coming out of the ministry.

“Another recommendation was to ensure we have young people at the table to discuss how we can encourage engagement with young people. The promotion for that will come out very soon.

“In October, we will also be doing a national youth strategic session that will deal with anti-stigma.

“The key message is that if you need help, raise your hand.”

The ministry has provided grants to some of the key organisations that provide mental health services in Bermuda including the Family Centre, Masc and the Women’s Resource Centre.

Ms Wilson reminded the public about the Department of Health’s free Youth Mental Health First Aid training course for individuals who work with or support young people as well as its Man Up Mondays series on social media.

Ms Wilson added: “Insurance for mental health services should be on a par with physical health services.

“As part of the universal health coverage core benefits package which has not been decided yet, there is a drive and indication to ensure that there is a component that will allow persons access to mental health services. That is definitely on the table as well as the prevention element.

“It is important to note that the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute does provide that service though our standard premium rate service.”

Ms Wilson wished to thank various organisations that have been involved in the activity around mental health including Community K9, the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning, Bermuda Is Love, Mount Saint Agnes, Solstice and Troika.