Mental Health Foundation Complete Facility
The Bermuda Mental Health Foundation announced the completion of the renovation and refurbishment of a two-apartment property for use as a communal residential facility for persons recovering from episodes of chronic mental illness.
“One of the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation’s primary objectives is to acquire and manage communal housing for the target population which we serve,” said BMHF spokesperson Jodi Lewis.
“This newly-renovated property located in Somerset will accommodate an additional five persons. The Foundation wishes to thank generous sponsors in the community, both corporate bodies and private individuals, for their continued support during this process.”
Donald Scott, a director, added: “The renovations included electrical upgrades, replacement of windows and doors, new fresh water plumbing and the refurbishment of bathrooms and kitchens at a cost of $150,000 and was carried out over a period of about 12 months.
“The Foundation was very pleased with the quality of the work. The contractors were Mr. Gerald Burt [mason], Mr. Calvin Edwards [painter], Mr. Anthony Hayward [electrician], Mr. Everard Todd, Jr [carpenter and tiler] and Mr. Delroy Reid [plumber].”
“Fitting out of the two apartments with kitchen appliances, furniture and soft furnishings cost an additional $25,000 and the Foundation is very grateful to members of the community and organizations who contributed to this cause.”
Chairman of the Board of Directors, James MacDonald, said: “The Foundation now houses 20 individuals who have a mental illness but who are able to live independently in the community with the assistance of look-in support from Community Service Teams from the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute [MWI].
“The Foundation works in partnership with MWI to provide this service to our target population. There are other persons in the target population who could benefit from access to communal residential facilities and so our work continues.”
“It is estimated that there are 30-40 persons with mental illness in Bermuda that are still institutionalized or living in less than desirable conditions for lack of availability of suitable communal residential facilities, the BMHF said.
“In response to addressing the on-going housing need for mentally ill persons, the Foundation has launched its Sheltering Our Way Fundraising and Awareness Campaign.
“To learn more about the #SOW Fundraising and Awareness Campaign and how you can get involved to assist in making housing available to Bermuda’s mentally ill population, please contact the Foundation at 400-5634.”
If you would like to learn more about the Foundation and this initiative, please email info@bmhf.bm or visit www.bmhf.bm.
Glad to see this happening.
Cooperation does work.
Never know. One day one of us may need a facility like this.
Shalom.