Health Ministry Launches #ChatSafe Bermuda
The Ministry of Health, supported by the Bermuda College and Orygen [Australia], has launched #ChatSafe Bermuda, and partnered with Simply Bloom, to “equip young people, families, and educators with tools for safer and healthier digital engagement.”
A Government spokesperson said, “Originally developed by Orygen, Australia’s leading organisation for youth mental health research and innovation, the #ChatSafe guidelines provide practical, evidence-based guidance on how to communicate safely online about suicide, self-harm, and mental health. Bermuda is the first small-island jurisdiction to localise the model.”
“The Ministry of Health is committed to fostering a culture of compassion, understanding, and support for our youth,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson. “#ChatSafe Bermuda strengthens that commitment by helping families, schools, and peers navigate difficult conversations in ways that can truly save lives.”
A Government spokesperson added, “#ChatSafe Bermuda includes guidance on how to post safely, respond to others in distress, use respectful language, and connect individuals to support. Resources will be available digitally and in print for students, educators, and parents, with school-based workshops and assemblies planned from November 2026.”
“We’re thrilled to have collaborated with the Ministry of Health to launch the #chatsafe guidelines in Bermuda,” Professor Jo Robinson, Head of Suicide Research at Orygen, said. “Now more than ever, it’s vital we equip young people with the tools they need to talk safely online about self-harm and suicide, and by working together we can help make the internet a safe place for young Bermudians and encourage those who are struggling to reach out for support.”
A Government spokesperson added, “Complementing this, the Ministry is partnering with Simply Bloom, owned and operated by Ms. Chardonaé Rawlins, to deliver a Digital Wellness Guide tailored to Bermuda’s needs. Simply Bloom Bermuda is a Bermuda-based wellness service focused on supporting families, children, and educators through mental health and personal development resources. It offers holistic counselling, parenting support, workshops, and school-based programs designed to build resilience and emotional well-being.”
“As digital spaces continue to shape how young people connect, learn, and express themselves, it is essential that families feel supported in navigating both the opportunities and challenges they present,” said Ms Rawlins.
“Together, we are working to ensure young people are not only safe online but supported to thrive. While #ChatSafe Bermuda focuses on safe communication around suicide and distressing content, Simply Bloom’s guide takes a broader approach to digital wellbeing, supporting healthy online habits, safety, and overall wellness for individuals and families across the island.”
A Government spokesperson added, “Together, these initiatives provide a comprehensive approach to digital mental health, equipping the community not only to respond safely in moments of crisis, but also to build healthier, more balanced relationships with the digital world.
“The initiative builds on findings from Bermuda’s 2022 National Adolescent Mental Health Survey, which highlighted both the prevalence of mental health challenges and young people’s reliance on online spaces for support.”
“#ChatSafe Bermuda is a direct response to what our young people told us,” said Dr. Daniel Cavanagh, Chief Researcher at Bermuda College for the Youth Mental Health Plan. “They want more education about mental health. This partnership gives them the tools to have conversations about mental health safely and with confidence.”
A Government spokesperson added, “The resources were launched at the Youth Mental Health Town Hall on Social Media and Digital Wellness at Bermuda College on May 12, 2026, and will be distributed through schools, community partners and public awareness campaigns.”
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