A psychologist has highlighted the need for more group-level conversations to keep breaking the stigma around mental health challenges.

Alicia Hancock added that awareness of the subject has increased and noted how hobbies and other recreational pursuits can help to change mindsets.

The practitioner at Milestones Ltd said: “The only way for people to normalise something and be OK with seeking out services is if it’s consistently talked about. The more you talk about something, the more it gets embedded into your belief system.”

She added: “We discuss mental health on an individual basis and generally in the big picture, but we probably need to narrow this down into maybe groups and forums for people to talk about it.”

Dr Hancock acknowledged there is less stigma around mental health in Bermuda compared with some years ago.

She said: “Growing up, at least my understanding of mental health was either you were chronically ill or you were fine and didn’t need services.

“There’s definitely a lot more programmes like Family Centre that offer services to families and children, and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute offers inpatient and outpatient services, so it has definitely changed and there’s certainly more awareness.”

Dr Hancock highlighted how an overuse of technology can make children more anxious.

She explained: “If children use social-media devices in excess and are not talking to people, a lot of them lose the ability to know how to talk and communicate, and their anxiety goes up.

“Interacting less face-to-face with people and more with their devices affects their ability to concentrate and focus.

“If they’re only on devices and that’s the only thing they do for fun when they’re at home, then there’s only one part of their brain that’s going to be activated.”

Dr Hancock believes that parents who often “rescue” their children stop them from experiencing the consequences of their actions, which also increases anxiety, and urged them to look for changes in their child’s demeanour.

She explained: “[Anxiety] in children and adults, some of that is also partially pandemic or partially a result of how we're raising kids.

“I think we swung the pendulum from kids being responsible for their behaviours and us holding them responsible to now jumping in and rescuing.

“When you rescue way too much, anxiety goes up because we're not allowing people to experience natural consequences.”

Dr Hancock added: “It’s normal to just want to jump in and know everything about what’s going on because of your own anxiety as a parent, but you may cause a child to shut down and not say anything at all.

“Changes in behaviour, mood, isolation and avoidance are signs that your child needs to talk to you, or somebody else.

“It’s important not to ridicule them for not feeling comfortable talking to you, because the main thing is that your child gets the help they need if they need it.”

Dr Hancock said psychotherapy can provide clients with self-awareness and reach the roots of problems to create positive change.

She added: “I can give you all the tools in the world to calm yourself down when you’re angry, but if you don’t figure out the deeper-rooted belief system as to why you’re angry or the core belief within you that is causing you to feel that way … then you typically won’t have any permanent change.”

Dr Hancock said that factors including exercise, sunlight and support from loved ones also improve mental health.

She explained: “A lot of times, being on your own and isolating yourself means that you’re actually thinking about your problems and what’s going on — this can have a domino effect and actually make the problem worse.

“If you hit the reset button and occupy your mind with other things, this can allow you to potentially think about what was bothering you differently.

“Getting involved in hobbies, things that require dedication, discipline and a routine, creates a sense of safety that allows us to feel better.”