the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation is close to sealing a deal for a second community group home, this one in Hamilton Parish.

The Foundation's Christine Barritt told The Royal Gazette the second home will be based on Arcadia, the Foundation's first facility which has been up and running for the last year in Pembroke.

Housing about six outpatients, the home provides a sheltered environment for clients who, up until a few years ago, would have been institutionalised for disorders such as schizophernia or depression.

While in residence, clients learn everyday lifeskills and self reliance; medication is supervised daily while a nurse drops in regularly. Residents also pay a nominal rent, she added.

Lawyer Warren Cabral, acting for the Foundation, told The Royal Gazette negotiations for the second facility, called `Our Blessing' in Hamilton Parish, are "well along'', though the deal has yet to be finalised. If all goes well the facility could be open by the spring.

Funding for the second facility was being drawn from the Foundation's Capital Properties Acquisition Fund.

Warren Cabral HEALTH HTH FUND RAISER FNR