In 2020, The Bahamas found itself grappling with a double crisis that put unprecedented strain on its mental health infrastructure: the devastation of Hurricane Dorian coupled with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Exacerbating the situation was a legacy of outdated mental health legislation that stymied human rights protections, perpetuated discrimination, and placed little emphasis on the delivery of community-based care. To address these urgent challenges, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) collaborated with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and other relevant stakeholders to draft and enact the groundbreaking 2022 Mental Health Bill.[1] This pivotal legislation not only led to the allocation of much-needed resources, but also introduced targeted interventions and catalysed a shift in societal attitudes towards mental health. As a result, The Bahamas is experiencing transformative progress in both the quality and accessibility of mental health programs and services, underpinned by a renewed emphasis on human rights and community-based solutions.

Upon the Act's enactment in December 2022, the MoHW allocated vital resources, such as appointing two dedicated program officers who are responsible for leading multisectoral initiatives for mental health education and interventions.  The Act also sparked public advocacy and discourse focused on normalizing mental health conversations and combating stigma. This atmosphere paved the way for tangible change and, seizing this momentum, the MoHW developed a comprehensive national mental health and suicide prevention plan in June 2023. 

-Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health, Bahamas

To bolster local capacity, PAHO/WHO facilitates ongoing mhGAP training sessions to improve mental health services at the community level. Moreover, a milestone was reached in July 2023 when a Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) training program was launched for law enforcement officers and mental health professionals in New Providence, the country's capital. This initiative not only enhanced the officers’ skills in managing mental health crises respectfully and effectively, but also led to the creation of a CIT policy framework. Moreover, PAHO/WHO backed Psychological First Aid (PFA) training for educators and community leaders, broadening the support network for mental health interventions.

-Chief Immigration Officer Chad Adams

Taking a leading role in national communication initiatives, PAHO/WHO partnered with the MoHW to counter mental health misconceptions. They launched the #DoYourShare green bench campaign in March 2023 and continually participated in mental health observance events, contributing through panel discussions, keynote speeches, group presentations, public expositions, and stakeholder meetings.

To extend the reach of mental health services, PAHO/WHO provided guidance for launching telehealth services and free emergency hotlines, a crucial resource especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Adhering to WHO guidelines for telemedicine, these digital platforms have become indispensable for universal mental health care access, meeting a primary goal of the 2022 Mental Health Act. Between December 2022 and September 2023, the mental health and psychosocial support hotlines operated by The Bahamas Psychological Association fielded 76 calls from across the islands, resulting in referrals to the Community Counselling and Assessment Center.

Progressing toward data-centric governance, the MoHW with technical guidance from PAHO/WHO, seeks to incorporate key mental health metrics into its primary care health information systems. Metrics such as the burden of mental health conditions, human resources for mental health, and mental health expenditure among others will be better monitored. Counselling and Assessment Center (CCAC) admissions are also being closely monitored, offering invaluable insights into the effectiveness of newly implemented strategies.

The formation of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) coordination mechanism across islands and sectors, supported by PAHO/WHO just before Hurricane Dorian has been instrumental in ensuring stronger mental health preparedness response and recovery efforts. The MHPSS coordination team continues its efforts to date. Ongoing advocacy within the health sector has also been evidenced by the Public Hospital’s Authority’s commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day with curated events, including a film night and panel talks. Other sectors have also prioritized mental health initiatives.  For example, the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training hosted a Family Psychosocial and Wellness Expo in November 2023. The Bahamas Department of Corrections also facilitated a correctional behavioural health training to equip officers to recognize and deescalate situations of mental crisis to reduce the risk of violence, suicide, and self-harm. Together, these multi-sectoral efforts mark a significant leap in The Bahamas’ holistic mental health strategy, reiterating the transformative power of the 2022 Mental Health Act.