BMHF To Launch Message In A Bottle Campaign
As part of their Rethink Mental Health Campaign, the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation [BMHF] has partnered with the Weekend Running Group to launch a suicide prevention and depression awareness campaign.
From March 1 through March 30, the Foundation will be launching the Message In A Bottle Campaign [#MIABC], challenging people on the island to locate a series of special messages.
A spokesperson said, “The Foundation will place roughly 200 glass bottles around the island and will challenge Bermudians to locate a bottle, review the message and sign that they have reviewed it via a special link at the end of the message.
“The campaign will also consist of a large canvas placed outside of City Hall, where the Foundation will encourage community members to write something that will encourage someone who is dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide.
“Community members Deborah Pharaoh-Williams and Tali Gabai-Maiato tragically lost their siblings to suicide. As a result, they have teamed up to share their experience with the hope that they can help the public aware of the signs of depression and ultimately prevent suicide. They also have joined together to cope and encourage with each other’s lost.”
Jodi Lewis said, “The Weekenders Running Group came together to raise money, donated and public awareness to the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation for the purpose of saving and increasing the quality of life for those who suffer from depression.
“The Bermuda Mental Health Foundation advocates for those who suffer from mental illness and we are extremely thankful for the generosity of The Weekenders Running Group and those who supported their efforts. We are hopeful that after a successful campaign our small community will be more aware of the signs of depression, how to save someone’s life and reduce the suicide rate overall.”
“Recently, overseas mental health speaker, Mike Veny was featured at a lecture event. His key message was to simply start the conversation about mental illness in Bermuda and being mentally healthy. He challenged us to make it a part of our every day conversation and this is exactly what the Foundations intends to do.”
“The locations of the glass bottles will be published via the Foundation’s website as well the organization’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
“If you would like additional information about this campaign or any of the work that the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation is doing please do not hesitate to contact Jodi Lewis via email at info@bmhf.bm.”
