Caribbean Disaster Capacity Building

This quarter, the Bahamas Resilience Center continued to advance its mission of strengthening psychological resilience across the Caribbean through training, community engagement, and trauma-informed mental health support. As climate-related challenges intensify, our work remains focused on equipping individuals, professionals, and communities with the tools needed to cope, recover, and thrive.

Expanding Mental Health Awareness & Community Engagement

Throughout the quarter, we facilitated a series of community-based initiatives aimed at reducing stigma and encouraging open dialogue around mental health.

On March 9, 2026, Dr. Felisha Saunders-McBride delivered a presentation at Freeport Ship Services in recognition of International Women’s Day. Her session, “Give to Gain – The Art of Strategic Giving: Empowering Women,” emphasized self-awareness, intentional living, and the importance of women supporting one another in both personal and professional spaces.

We also participated in the “Let’s Talk” youth event on March 13 in Eight Mile Rock, where young people engaged in open and honest discussions about mental health. It was especially encouraging to see strong participation from young men, highlighting a growing willingness to break stigma and engage in meaningful conversations about wellbeing.

Additionally, our team engaged students through our Mental Health Matters initiative, including a session at St. George’s High School. Students were equipped with practical tools to:

• Build self-awareness
• Recognize and regulate emotions
• Identify signs of distress in themselves and peers
• Access available support systems

These engagements are critical in fostering early intervention and building lifelong resilience skills.

Empowering Youth & Women Through Targeted Programming

Our work continues to prioritize vulnerable and developing populations through targeted outreach.

Counselor Stacey Bonnett represented the Center at the “I Am That Girl” Seminar on February 28, where young women participated in discussions on identity, confidence, kindness, and self-worth. Through guided reflection and interactive dialogue, participants were encouraged to embrace their individuality and build a strong sense of self.

In January, our team also engaged students from Lewis Yard Primary School and The Beacon School, focusing on self-confidence, healthy relationships, and personal identity. These sessions provided safe spaces for expression while reinforcing positive developmental skills.

Strengthening Workforce Capacity

A key component of this project is building a sustainable mental health workforce across the region.

On March 24, 2026, the Center hosted a Problem Management Plus (PM+) training, successfully training 11 participants in this evidence-based, scalable intervention model. This training supports the expansion of community-based care by equipping non-specialist providers with tools to deliver structured psychosocial support.

In addition, we continue to strengthen our clinical capacity through the onboarding of dedicated volunteer counselors, including:

• Claire Taylor-Sofoworo (Telehealth Counselor)
• Nancy Bowe-Hilaire (PM+ Practitioner)
• Dr. Daniqua Williams (Clinical Mental Health Professional)
• Kentrina Curry (School Counselor & ABA Practitioner)

These professionals bring diverse expertise in trauma-informed care, telehealth delivery, and youth development, significantly expanding access to mental health services across communities.

Promoting Wellness & Community Dialogue

Beyond structured training and school-based interventions, the Center continues to engage community groups in meaningful conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

Dr. McBride facilitated sessions with:

• FOCOL staff on self-care, boundaries, and strategic giving
• Divine Ladies Chapter No. 003 on wellness and mental health
• Freeport Ship Services Self Care and Teamwork

These sessions reinforce the importance of workplace and community-based mental health awareness, contributing to a culture of openness, support, and resilience.

Addressing a Regional Challenge

The Caribbean continues to face increasing mental health challenges driven by climate-related disasters, including more frequent and severe hurricanes. These events compound existing vulnerabilities, leading to heightened anxiety, trauma, and long-term psychological stress.

Through this project, the Bahamas Resilience Center is responding by:

• Expanding access to trauma-informed care
• Training community-based providers
• Creating safe spaces for dialogue and healing
• Strengthening regional collaboration

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, our focus remains on scaling this model across the Caribbean. By combining workforce development, community engagement, and evidence-based interventions like PM+, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient and mentally healthy region.

We are deeply grateful to our supporters and partners who make this work possible. Together, we are not only addressing immediate needs but building systems that will sustain long-term wellbeing across vulnerable communities.

This quarter, the Grand Bahama Resilience Center (GBRC) continued its work in strengthening mental health awareness, building resilience, and expanding psychosocial support across the community. In partnership with New School University’s Global Mental Health team, we advanced research on the Problem Management Plus (PM+) intervention while also training new volunteers to support ongoing programming.

In September, Dr. Felisha McBride facilitated a mental health training session at Hugh Campbell Primary School during the school’s Professional Development Day. The interactive session equipped teachers with practical tools to improve self-awareness, manage stress, and support students’ emotional well-being. Aligned with Mental Health Month’s theme, “Turning Awareness into Action,” participants were encouraged to take intentional steps toward prioritizing their own mental health while fostering supportive learning environments.

As part of World Suicide Prevention Week, GBRC hosted several awareness initiatives. On September 8, Dr. Saunders-McBride engaged students at Grand Bahama Academy in discussions on resilience, emotional self-regulation, and reducing stigma. Drawing from Scripture, she emphasized that experiencing deep emotions is natural and that faith and community can provide strength. On World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, Dr. McBride joined Dr. Gray and Dr. Cooper from Rand Memorial Hospital for a panel discussion on depression and suicide prevention, promoting the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” and highlighting the importance of hope, dialogue, and community support.

GBRC also continued to engage with workplaces and broader community initiatives. On September 24, Counselor Stacey Bonnett represented the Center at the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs Jump Start Symposium, emphasizing the importance of mental health in fostering resilient and productive workplaces. In early October, Dr. McBride facilitated two days of training with the staff of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and led a session for potential foster parents with the Ministry of Social Services on “The Heart of Fostering,” focusing on the emotional aspects of nurturing children in need.

The Center also supported youth leadership and wellness. On October 7, Eight Mile Rock High School held a Prefect Installation Ceremony under the theme “Leadership Empowering Change,” with Dr. Laing addressing students on character, encouragement, and commitment. On October 10, World Mental Health Day was celebrated at St. George’s High School with visits to the Shifting Minds Club, empowering students to engage openly in conversations about mental health.

GBRC continued to prioritize women’s health and community wellness. On October 20, Dr. Saunders-McBride participated in the Fertility Empowerment Summit, sharing strategies to create emotionally safer workplaces, churches, and community spaces. From November 10–12, GBRC partnered with Critical Incident Consulting and the We Will Go Foundation to provide Critical Incident Stress Training for first responders, equipping them with tools to manage stress and support their communities effectively. On November 13, Dr. McBride and Programme and Partnership Director Jennifer Barnabie co-facilitated a session at EY on the 4Ms—Menarche, Menstruation, Menopause, and Mental Health—highlighting the impact of these stages on women’s well-being.

The Center also engaged men and young children in resilience-building initiatives. On November 19, Dr. Laing presented at the Freeport Container Port International Men’s Day Symposium on men’s mental health, offering strategies to manage stress and promoting open dialogue. That same week, Stacey Bonnett and Jennifer Barnabie visited Grade 3 students at Maurice Moore Primary School to teach emotional awareness, self-kindness, and resilience, emphasizing the importance of mental health from an early age.

This quarter demonstrates GBRC’s ongoing commitment to raising mental health awareness, building resilience across all age groups, and equipping individuals, families, and communities with the tools to thrive emotionally, socially, and professionally. Through education, research, and hands-on training, we continue to expand access to psychosocial support, reduce stigma, and empower Grand Bahama and beyond to recover and flourish.