By Dr. Felisha Mcbride | Executive Director
We are pleased to share a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen community-based mental health and psychosocial support in Jamaica. Since our last report, the Bahamas Resilience Center, in partnership with NexxStepp Lifelong Educational Services, has moved from stakeholder engagement to direct community action.
In August 2026, we delivered Multiplying Community Resilience training in Kingston and Montego Bay, reaching 57 Wellness Ambassadors. Participants represented churches, youth organizations, community groups, media, human resources, education, and other service-oriented organizations.
The training equipped participants with practical skills to promote mental wellness and resilience within their communities. Key areas included:
Understanding resilience, mental health, and stigma
Practicing supportive communication and active listening
Recognizing the roles and boundaries of community volunteers
Identifying appropriate referral pathways
Protecting personal well-being through volunteer self-care
Designing accessible community wellness activities
The Multiplying Community Resilience model prepares trained volunteers to promote mental wellness, reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, and organize practical wellness activities in the communities and organizations they serve.
The enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by participants were encouraging. They developed ideas for activities supporting caregivers, young people, parents, community workers, and other groups experiencing ongoing pressures. Participating organizations are now being supported as they prepare to implement wellness activities within their respective communities.
During the next phase, we will focus on:
Providing continued technical guidance to the Wellness Ambassadors
Supporting the implementation of at least 30 community wellness activities
Reaching approximately 200 community members
Strengthening referral pathways for individuals who may require professional care
Gathering participant feedback, testimonials, and outcome data
Documenting lessons to guide future mental health initiatives in Jamaica and across the Caribbean
We are deeply grateful to our donors and supporters for helping us move from planning to meaningful community action. Your support has enabled us to build local capacity and equip trusted community members with practical tools that can continue benefiting others beyond the training.
As implementation continues, additional support will help us provide follow-up guidance, monitor community activities, strengthen referral networks, and extend the program’s reach to more communities throughout Jamaica.
Together, we are helping communities move beyond crisis toward connection, resilience, and hope.
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