Bahamas Disaster Capacity Building

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.