Youth And Leaders Discuss Mental Health Plan

Young people from across Bermuda came together with senior government leaders this weekend for an open and forward-looking discussion on youth mental health, hosted at Bermuda College.

A spokesperson said, “Members of the Youth Advisory Board [YAB] – a youth-led group working to reduce stigma and improve mental health outcomes – welcomed Premier and Finance Minister, the Hon. David Burt, Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Hon. Kim Wilkerson, and other stakeholders for a session designed to strengthen the partnership between young people and decision-makers.

“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 5-6% higher than global averages. One of the major recommendations of the Youth Mental Health Plan is to reduce policy and legislative barriers to care.

“The Youth Advisory Board Members presented the findings from the latest research into Youth Mental Health which focuses on legislation. The research highlights several key barriers, including a high age of consent for mental health services across several providers, widespread and often unnecessary use of dual-parent consent, inconsistent confidentiality practices, and non-legislative obstacles such as stigma, cost and limited awareness of available support. At the meeting, YAB members presented these findings in line with their experiences in schools, families and communities, describing how current rules around consent and confidentiality can prevent peers from seeking help.

“After the presentation, the YAB members moved into small group discussions. This created space for honest, constructive conversations about the realities young people face, and how systems, services and policy can better respond.”

After attending the session, Premier Burt stated, “Yesterday, 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.”

A spokesperson added, “A central theme throughout the discussion was the importance of creating safe spaces — both within families and across communities — where young people feel able to talk openly about their mental health.”

Ms. Callahj Simons – Youth Advisory 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.”

A spokesperson added, “Participants spoke candidly 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 parent mental health literacy, including practical tools and workshops to better support families.

“The discussion also reinforced the importance of continued collaboration between government, schools, families and the wider community to reduce stigma and improve access to care.”

Minister Kim Wilson said,
”The health and well‑being of Bermuda’s residents remain our foremost responsibility. 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”

Minister Tinee Furbert
said, “It was important to hear directly from young people about both the challenges they face and the changes they want to see. Their voices are shaping how we strengthen support across families, schools, and community services. 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.”

Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Kim 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 out policies that affect young people in Bermuda.”

A spokesperson added, “The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Kim Wilkerson was accompanied by two drafters from the Attorney-General’s chambers and her strategic advisor, Liana Nanang Omodele, in order to facilitate early collaboration at the legislative drafting and policy level.

“The session closed with a shared commitment: to continue building spaces where young people are not only heard, but actively shaping the decisions that affect their lives. The Youth Advisory Board members are looking forward to continuing the conversation with policy makers about the policy reform that matters most to them.

Looking Ahead

“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 annual Great Debate focused on youth mental health and privacy [details TBC]
• “A repeat of the well-attended Youth Mental Health Town Hall on Self-Harm and Violence on Social Media [details TBC]
• “A national call for schools to wear green on 15 May to promote awareness and reduce stigma

“Further details on these initiatives will be shared in the coming weeks.”

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