Practical, accessible and responsive: Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, left, speaks with members of the Youth Advisory Board (Photograph courtesy of the Department of Communication and Information)
A youth-led group working to reduce stigma and improve mental health outcomes for adolescents has presented national leaders with research focused on legislative change.
Members of the Youth Advisory Board connected with senior members of the Government, including David Burt, the Premier, and Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, to share the group’s latest research which produced legislative recommendations.
David Burt, the Premier, far right, with members of the Youth Advisory Board and government ministers at a presentation on mental health at the Bermuda College (Photograph courtesy of the Department of Communication and Information)
The findings from the first National Adolescent Mental Health study [2022-2023] showed that young people in Bermuda report rates of depression and anxiety symptoms at 5 to 6 per cent higher than global averages and that most do not seek help.
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.
The research highlights several key challenges, including a high age of consent for mental health services across several providers, widespread and often unnecessary use of dual-parent consent for youth seeking help, inconsistent confidentiality practices and non-legislative obstacles such as stigma, cost and limited awareness of available support.
At the meeting held at the Bermuda College on Saturday, the board members presented these findings in line with their experiences in schools, families and communities.
Following the presentation, the members conducted small group discussions with the leaders, creating space for honest, constructive conversations about the realities young people face, and how systems, services and policy can better respond.
Amirah Trott, right, Jaya Dillas, left, and David Burt, the Premier (Photograph by Malaysia Burt)
Mr Burt said after the discussions: “I was moved as we listened to Bermuda’s Youth Advisory Board as they spoke candidly about youth mental health care in Bermuda.
“Their lived experiences reinforce the reason why the Government has devoted additional resources to strengthen mental health services across Bermuda, with specific action on youth mental health, coordinated initiatives across multiple ministries, and funding support for community organisations.
“This Government will continue to work with our partners to strengthen and expand mental health access to meet the needs of Bermuda’s young people”.”
Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, speaks with members of the Youth Advisory Board (Photograph courtesy of the Department of Communication and Information)
Ms Wilson said that the health and wellbeing of Bermuda’s residents remain the Government’s foremost responsibility.
She added: “After hearing directly from the Youth Advisory Board, I am encouraged by the leadership and honesty our young people continue to bring to this important conversation.
“While the Youth Mental Health Plan has been independently led by its project team, the Ministry of Health was pleased to support this important work through grant funding.
“I commend the board for confronting the stigma that too often prevents young people from seeking help. Their advocacy, grounded in lived experience, strengthens our collective mission to ensure every young Bermudian can access timely, confidential and effective care.”
Ms Wilkerson was accompanied by two drafters from the Attorney-General’s chambers and her strategic adviser, Liana Nanang Omodele, in order to facilitate early collaboration at the legislative drafting and policy level.
Ms Wilkerson said: “It was truly an honour to meet with these young people today, whose dedication to the wellbeing of themselves and their peers is admirable.
“They have put in considerable effort to improving access to mental healthcare for young people, and to hear directly from them as we consider the next steps, allows us to remain grounded in their lived experiences and focused on approaches that are practical, accessible and responsive to their needs.
“I look forward to continued engagement with the Youth Advisory Board and intend to add the participants to a number of our working groups and consultations as we progress with various items of legislative reform.
“Many of our current Ministry of Justice legislative and policy initiatives complement and support their aims, and we look forward to further working with them to develop policies that affect young people in Bermuda.”
Statistics from the first National Adolescent Mental Health study
• 31.3 per cent of respondents reported moderate to severe depression symptoms
• 25.2 per cent reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms
• 73 per cent who reported symptoms said they would try to deal with depression or social anxiety on their own
• 62 per cent of those who reported symptoms of depression and anxiety said they would not seek help because they were too embarrassed
• 51 per cent said they would not seek support because they thought nothing could help them
• 46 per cent said they would not seek help because of the cost
Statistics from the first National Adolescent Mental Health study
• 31.3 per cent of respondents reported moderate to severe depression symptoms
• 25.2 per cent reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms
• 73 per cent who reported symptoms said they would try to deal with depression or social anxiety on their own
• 62 per cent of those who reported symptoms of depression and anxiety said they would not seek help because they were too embarrassed
• 51 per cent said they would not seek support because they thought nothing could help them
• 46 per cent said they would not seek help because of the cost
The board said that a central theme throughout the discussions was the importance of creating safe spaces within families and the community where young people can talk openly about their mental health.
Callahj Simons, a board member, said: “Last year, I had the opportunity to speak internationally about youth mental health reform and what stood out is how important it is that young people are part of these conversations.
“When we are given the space to speak and be heard, we can work alongside leaders to shape meaningful change.”
The board serves as a bridge between young people, government and community partners, and is grounded in the principle “Nothing About Us, Without Us”.
Planned initiatives
The Youth Advisory Board will continue its awareness and engagement efforts in May, recognised globally as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Planned initiatives include:
• A second Great Debate focused on youth mental health and privacy [details to be confirmed]
• A repeat of the well-attended Youth Mental Health town hall on self-harm and violence on social media [details to be confirmed]
• A national call for schools to wear green on May 15 to promote awareness and reduce stigma
Further details on these initiatives will be shared in the coming weeks.
About the board:
Based at Bermuda College, the Youth Advisory Board brings together a diverse group of young people from across Bermuda to advise on the design, delivery and evaluation of the National Youth Mental Health Plan.
For further details, contact Christopher Jackson, board chairman, on ymhbermuda@gmail.com
Planned initiatives
The Youth Advisory Board will continue its awareness and engagement efforts in May, recognised globally as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Planned initiatives include:
• A second Great Debate focused on youth mental health and privacy [details to be confirmed]
• A repeat of the well-attended Youth Mental Health town hall on self-harm and violence on social media [details to be confirmed]
• A national call for schools to wear green on May 15 to promote awareness and reduce stigma
Further details on these initiatives will be shared in the coming weeks.
About the board:
Based at Bermuda College, the Youth Advisory Board brings together a diverse group of young people from across Bermuda to advise on the design, delivery and evaluation of the National Youth Mental Health Plan.
For further details, contact Christopher Jackson, board chairman, on ymhbermuda@gmail.com
Participants spoke about the challenges of navigating mental health conversations at home, particularly where stigma or lack of understanding may exist. Young people highlighted a clear need for greater mental health literacy for parents, including practical tools and workshops.
Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, speaks with members of the Youth Advisory Board (Photograph by Malaysia Burt)
Ms Furbert added: “It was important to hear directly from young people about both the challenges they face and the changes they want to see.
“Youth mental health cannot be addressed by a single system alone. It requires partnership across government, educators and parents, and today’s dialogue helps move that work forward.”
The session closed with a shared commitment to continue building spaces where young people are not only heard, but are actively shaping decisions that affect their lives.
The board members said they are looking forward to continuing the conversation with policymakers about the policy reform.
Angel O’Loughlin, centre, Chloe Samuels, right, Kylen Richard, left, members of the Youth Advisory Board, present to senior government leaders (Photograph by Malaysia Burt)