Disaster Response Bahamas, The Project #62255

Bahamas Disaster Capacity Building

by Bahamas Resilience Center

Project Report | Nov 26, 2024
Awareness Raising & Disaster Efforts

By Felisha Mcbride | Executive Director

Burnout & Essential Strategies DSS

The Grand Bahama Resilience Center continues its vital mission of raising awareness and providing support through impactful programs and partnerships. Our recent efforts have focused on mental health, disaster management, and empowering communities to foster resilience and well-being.

Promoting Mental Health Awareness

In late September, Dr. Andy Laing facilitated an impactful Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Discussion with the staff of FOWCLO. This session emphasized the importance of mental wellness in the workplace, helping reduce stigma and promote a culture of care and awareness. It was inspiring to see FOWCLO prioritize the mental health of its team, fostering a supportive environment for employees.

On September 26th, Mrs. McBride contributed to the 3rd Annual You Matter Mental Health Event, hosted for schools across Grand Bahama. Her participation in the Q&A segment provided meaningful insights into improving mental wellness, starting within the home, and reinforcing the importance of mental health in youth development.

In September, Mrs. McBride also presented to the HR team at the Department of Social Services on Burnout & Effective Strategies. The session empowered HR professionals with actionable insights to create healthier, more balanced workplace environments and set a positive tone for their organizations.

Dr. Felisha McBride conducted multiple sessions on Conflict Management and Teamwork, including one with Grand Bahama Health Services and two with GB Power Company. Additionally, on October 2nd and 3rd, she led a series of Mental Health Trainings with Freeport Container Port and Freeport Harbor Company, equipping participants with essential skills to manage stress and improve team dynamics.

Empowering Youth and Community Engagement

On September 7th, the Girls Teen Health & Wellness Summit hosted by the Grand Bahama Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in collaboration with Life Wise Choices Health Coalition, addressed critical issues facing young women today. Our volunteer, Denecia Britton, represented the Grand Bahama Resilience Center, delivering a powerful session on Cyberbullying, creating a safe space for education and dialogue.

On September 25th, our partnership with Genesis Academy flourished as Mrs. Barnabie inspired students with a session on Purpose, encouraging them to embrace their unique potential. This ongoing collaboration continues to make a significant impact in the lives of young learners.

Disaster Response and Trauma Support

Dr. McBride and Dr. Laing conducted three Critical Incident Stress Debriefings for employees across various establishments following traumatic events, including workplace accidents. These debriefings provided vital emotional and psychological support to those affected, underscoring the importance of timely interventions in disaster response.

The Grand Bahama Resilience Center is proud to collaborate with The New School on a research study offering Problem Management Plus (PM+), a program designed by the World Health Organization. PM+ consists of five sessions aimed at helping individuals manage stress, low mood, and social challenges. By scaling up this program, we are taking significant strides in disaster management and expanding access to essential mental health resources. Our team has been trained as facilitators. To date, we have had 3 participants and look forward to the outcome of this ongoing study.

Advocacy for Mental Wellness in Schools

In September, Mrs. McBride contributed to several school-based initiatives. She presented at the You Matter Mental Health Event, engaging with students and educators on the importance of mental wellness. Her contributions to this meaningful event highlighted the necessity of integrating mental health awareness into educational spaces to build stronger, healthier communities.

Continuing Our Mission

The Grand Bahama Resilience Center remains dedicated to empowering individuals, supporting organizations, and fostering resilience throughout our community. With initiatives like these, we are taking critical steps toward creating a culture of awareness, care, and proactive disaster management.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all partners, volunteers, and supporters who make our work possible. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier future for Grand Bahama.

Suicide Prevention FOWCLO

Conflict Management Health Social Services

Mrs. Barnabie at Genesis Academy

McBride @ the You Matter Mental Health Event

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Jul 26, 2024
Building Resilience in the Face of Challenges

By Felisha Mcbride | Executive Director

Introduction

The Bahamas Resilience Center's Disaster Capacity Building Project aims to strengthen psychological resilience to climate challenges. Our approach involves training mental health professionals, conducting awareness programs, and hosting workshops. We prioritize community support through in-center programs and collaborations, ensuring trained counselors address trauma from climate events and provide essential mental health services. Additionally, we focus on reducing stigma and highlighting the link between climate and well-being.

Events and Highlights

Regular Counseling Sessions
Our dedicated staff continues to tackle our growing caseload with regular counseling sessions, ensuring continuous support for individuals and families affected by climate-related stressors and other crises.

Disaster Response Team Seminar
June 29th, 2024
Mrs. McBride joined forces with the Bahamas Red Cross as a volunteer for their Disaster Response Team Seminar. She conducted essential training on Psychosocial Support, an evidence-based intervention involving comprehensive strategies aimed at addressing and mitigating the psychological and social impacts of disasters and crises on individuals and communities. Such training is a crucial step towards capacity building and enhancing our disaster response capabilities.

Employee Care in Disaster Management Panel
The Grand Bahama Resilience Center partnered with the GB Chamber of Commerce and various organizations for an Employee Care in Disaster Management panel. Mrs. McBride emphasized the importance of mental health in managing disaster impacts on employees. Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can significantly affect our lives and workplaces. Effective disaster readiness plans must consider the most valuable assets: people.

Disasters can lead to the loss of possessions, security, livelihood, and social networks. Residual effects like domestic violence, substance abuse, depression, and PTSD can create challenging work environments.
To address these challenges, employers can:

Invest in year-round training to boost self-care and resilience.
Establish peer support networks.
Maintain effective communication during disasters.
Integrate HR into crisis response as trained support.
Partner with local organizations to strengthen efforts. By incorporating mental health into disaster plans, we can support employees, build resilience, and reduce long-term impacts. Let's be prepared and proactive!

Mental Health and Self-Care Talk with Department of Statistics Staff

Dr. Laing conducted an insightful mental health and self-care talk with the staff of the Department of Statistics at their recent staff retreat at Viva Wyndham Club Fortuna. This session provided valuable information on maintaining mental well-being and the importance of self-care practices in everyday life.

ZNS Interviews

Two separate interviews were conducted with ZNS News. Jasmine Nabb spoke on the critical issue of sexual abuse, highlighting the increased risk during the summer months and post-disaster periods. Dr. Laing addressed the surge in suicide attempts, emphasizing the urgency of recognizing and supporting those facing silent struggles. Please see the links attached.

Emergency Follow-Up Sessions
We provided emergency follow-up sessions at Bishop Michael Eldon School following a lightning strike incident and at GB Power after a staff member was electrocuted. Additionally, we continue to receive domestic violence referrals from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, offering immediate and ongoing support to those in need.

Conclusion

As we reflect on our activities and achievements this quarter, we remain committed to fostering resilience and providing crucial mental health support within our community. Our efforts, combined with the unwavering support of our partners, donors, and volunteers, help us build a stronger, more resilient future for all.

Thank you for being a part of our journey and for your continued support.

Links:

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Apr 1, 2024
Building Capacity

By Felisha McBride | Executive Director

The Bahamas Resilience Center's Disaster Capacity Building Project is dedicated to enhancing psychological resilience in the face of climate challenges. Our comprehensive approach involves training mental health professionals, conducting awareness programs, and hosting workshops. We prioritize community support through in-center programs and collaborations, aiming to address trauma from climate events and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues while highlighting the link between climate and well-being.

On February 12, Mrs. McBride was invited to speak to the Safety Team at Grand Bahama Power Company regarding Mental Health and self-care. Mrs. McBride emphasized the importance of adopting a proactive approach to mental wellness, highlighting the significance of prioritizing mental health alongside physical health. This initiative aimed to spread awareness and encourage mutual support for better mental health within the community.

On March 16th, 2024, Caroline McEneaney from the New School Global Mental Health lab visited Grand Bahama to discuss plans for a research project. The project involves training volunteers in Problem Management Plus (PM+) to provide support to interested clients. A focus group, including key stakeholders such as representatives from the Christian Council, School Psychological Services, and University of the Bahamas, convened at the center to discuss the potential for implementing PM+ elsewhere, using the center as a hub. This initiative emphasizes the importance of task sharing in capacity building.

On March 28th, 2024, Mrs. McBride led a lunch and learn session focusing on Emotional Health and Self-Care for two groups of staff members of Freeport Container Port. Encouraging a proactive stance towards self-care, Mrs. McBride highlighted its role in preventing stress and burnout, thus fostering a healthier work environment. This initiative underscores the significance of supporting emotional well-being in the workplace.

Despite ongoing challenges, our three counselors continue to provide essential counseling services to clients. Furthermore, the center has recently broken ground on a new home, alleviating the burden of rent and ensuring long-term sustainability. This development will enable the center to operate more efficiently and effectively in fulfilling its mission of building resilience within the community.

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