More than 700 young people attended the three-day Breakout Youth Mental Health Summit, held in middle schools and at the Bermuda College campus.
A spokesperson said, “More than 700 young people across Bermuda took bold steps toward breaking the stigma surrounding mental health during the inspiring three-day Breakout Youth Mental Health Summit, held both in local middle schools and at the Bermuda College campus. The summit brought together students, educators, community organizations, and powerful international voices to create a transformative experience centered on youth empowerment, resilience, and wellness.
“Organized by Oath International and spearheaded by the Youth Mental Health Plan Team, the event featured internationally renowned speakers A’ric Jackson, Shera Hill, and Joanne Darrell-Herbert, alongside a dynamic lineup of local partners including Champion Taekwondo, MASC, Flowidity Therapy, Solstice, OUTBermuda, The Coalition for the Protection of Children, Tree House Bermuda, PHC Zebras, Kaleidoscope, Child and Adolescent Services and The Family Centre, among others. This powerful event was supported by Bermuda College, The Bermuda Hospitals Board and The Ministry of Health, and sponsored in kind by Jamie Madison and Holidae, whose contributions helped make this impactful experience possible.
“Students engaged in thought-provoking sessions such as “5 Keys to Mental Wellness,” “Beyond the Streets,” and “The Masks We Wear,” as well as hands-on workshops exploring resilient leadership, vision boarding, journaling, artistic expression, a silent disco with More Energy Entertainment, The cutest therapy dogs ever from Community K9 and an open mic podcast hosted by the charismatic Mr. Fotogenik.”
“This summit wasn’t just about talking at young people. It was about giving them the mic, the platform, and the power to reimagine what mental wellness looks like for themselves and our community,” said Sloane Johnson, Event Coordinator.
A spokesperson added, “The atmosphere was electric with emotion, strength, and vulnerability as students courageously shared their stories, explored available resources, and envisioned a brighter, healthier future for Bermuda’s youth.
“Preliminary feedback from the summit underscores its impact: over 98% said the summit was worth their time, and 100% reported they would recommend it to their peers. Students said they learned new coping strategies and appreciated the opportunity to connect with others in their community.
“The Youth Mental Health Summit is more than just an event, it’s the start of a movement. Organizers aim to make the summit an annual fixture on Bermuda’s youth calendar, ensuring that young people have a safe space to learn, lead, and be heard on issues that matter most to them.”
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