The importance of access to mental health services for Bermuda’s young people was emphasised as part of a debate this week.

On Monday, the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors hosted the Youth Mental Health Debate at the Dr E F Gordon Memorial Hall in Pembroke.

It focused on the research findings of a legislative report the Youth Advisory Board presented to David Burt, the Premier, and government ministers in March.

The debate topic was: “This House believes that a child’s right to privacy when accessing health services outweighs a parent’s right to be informed.”

The event was part of the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Anti-Stigma Month campaign and was organised by the YAB, a youth-led committee under the Youth Mental Health Plan 2027, sponsored by the Mirrors programme under the Department of Child and Family Services.

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, opened the debate by highlighting the importance of creating safe spaces for young people to speak freely about mental health and access the support they need.

She praised the students for their courage, leadership and willingness to engage on the complex issue.

“Your courage, your conviction and your willingness to wrestle with the hardest conversations of our time is exactly what continues to move this country forward,” Ms Furbert said.

She also highlighted that addressing youth mental health requires listening to young people and ensuring their voices remain central in shaping policy and support systems across Bermuda.

One of the main recommendations of the Youth Mental Health Plan, co-designed by young people with school, community and government leaders to improve mental health outcomes, is to reduce policy and legislative barriers to care.

Its research highlights key challenges including the age of consent for mental health services across several providers, widespread and often unnecessary use of dual-parent consent for young people seeking help, inconsistent confidentiality practices and non-legislative obstacles such as stigma, cost and limited awareness of available support.

Following the debate, an “expertise panel” offered reflections from professional perspectives spanning debate, child and family services, clinical mental health, public health, and legal and policy reform.

The panel included Gladstone Thompson, a debate leader and coach, Kennette Robinson, an assistant director for the Department of Child and Family Services, Anna Neilson-Williams, the Chief of Staff at the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Alison Daniels, representing the Ministry of Health, and Shakira Dill-Francois, the Solicitor-General.

Dr Daniels, a programme manager for the Child Care Regulation Programme, said: “What we witnessed was more than a debate, it was young people stepping into the centre of a national conversation that affects their lives, their wellbeing and their future.

“This event builds on the YAB’s recent presentation to senior government leaders on youth mental health legislation, access to care and the barriers young people face when seeking support.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I want to thank our families, our schools, our community organisations and the wider public for standing with Bermuda’s young people.

“Your support strengthens the ministry’s efforts to raise awareness, reduce stigma and build a stronger culture of wellbeing across the island.”

The debate attracted a full audience including Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, Ms Furbert, Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, educators, youth programme leaders and family members.

A recording of the debate is to be made available for viewing on CITV's YouTube channel.