The island loses an average of three to five lives to suicide each year, the Minister of Health said, as Bermuda marked a day of awareness on the issue.

Kim Wilson said prevention required more than crisis response, but “a comprehensive approach that includes mental health promotion, early identification, reduced stigma, accessible services and strong community support”.

Observed annually on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day came with a call to “start the conversation”, while the World Health Organisation theme for 2024-26 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.

The ministry and Bermuda College have developed the #ChatSafe Bermuda drive for safer online conversations with Daniel Cavanagh and Orygen Australia.

A collaboration with Chardonaé Rawlins of Simply Bloom Bermuda produced a digital wellness guide to help families navigate the online environment safely and support the mental wellbeing of young people.

The ministry’s Mental Health Anti-Stigma Month and Youth Mental Health Training Programme has passed on training, including to more than ten Lived Experience Champions to ensure that Bermuda’s suicide-prevention efforts reflect real-life experiences.

Ms Wilson said: “Changing the narrative means replacing silence with conversation, judgment with compassion and stigma with understanding.”

The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute’s crisis line is available at 239-1111, and 911 can be called in an emergency.