OBA’s Cunningham On World Mental Health Day
“On this World Mental Health Day, let us be bold enough to say that silence is no longer acceptable,” OBA Senator Victoria Cunningham said.
Victoria Cunningham, Opposition Senate Spokesperson for Health, said, “In Bermuda today, too many people are struggling silently – students overwhelmed by pressure, parents holding families together under strain, and professionals wearing brave faces while fighting unseen battles. Mental health is not a side issue; it is the thread that holds our society together. When that thread frays, everything else begins to unravel.
“This year’s World Mental Health Day theme ‘Access to services: mental health in catastrophes and emergencies’ asks us to think differently about what an emergency looks like. For us, it isn’t a natural disaster or a war zone. It’s the quiet crisis playing out in classrooms, homes and neighbourhoods across our island.
“The numbers tell a painful story. According to Bermuda’s National Adolescent Mental Health Survey [2022], around one in three young people [31%] reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression, and one in four [25%] experienced significant anxiety. Among those with depression, nearly two-thirds [66%] also reported anxiety, and one in five [about 22%] said these symptoms interfered with daily life. These findings are higher than global post-pandemic averages and point to a generation under immense emotional strain.
“But the deeper issue is what lies beneath the data: stigma, silence, and the absence of safe, affordable, and timely support. Fewer than two-thirds of students could recognise the signs of depression, and less than half said they knew where to get help. Many said they would try to cope on their own – often because they were embarrassed, fearful, or thought nothing could help. That is not resilience; that is pain turned inward.
“These are Bermuda’s children. And when their suffering goes unseen, it grows into something that affects us all – substance misuse, self-harm, family breakdown, and community violence. Early intervention isn’t just compassionate; it’s essential to our collective safety, education, and social stability.
“Across our community, there are counsellors, social workers, educators, and volunteers who refuse to give up on our young people. They are doing extraordinary work, often without enough resources, coordination, or recognition. On this day, they deserve our gratitude – and our commitment to do more than thank them.
“Access to mental-health care cannot depend on who you know, how much you earn, or where you live. It must be built into the fabric of our health and education systems. Every school should have trained mental-health support. Every family should know how to get help quickly. And every person should be met with empathy, not judgment.
“Stigma remains one of the biggest barriers we face. Too often, people still whisper about mental health as if it’s something to hide. We must change that. Talking about mental health – openly, honestly, and often – saves lives. It helps children ask for help sooner and reminds adults that needing support is not a weakness; it is part of being human.
“We believe this is not a partisan issue. It is a national one. We all have a responsibility to ensure that mental-health services are accessible, affordable, and equitable, and that those on the front lines have the resources to meet growing demand. Because mental health is not a privilege; it is a right. It is the foundation on which learning, productivity, and public safety depend.
“On this World Mental Health Day, let us be bold enough to say that silence is no longer acceptable. Let us build a Bermuda where care is stigma-free, access is universal, and every person, young or old, feels seen and supported. Because the true measure of a healthy society is not how we treat people when they are strong, but how we stand by them when they are struggling.”
