Mental Health

The Ministry of Health assures residents that mental health support is available through several agencies:

• Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute: 24-hour crisis line at 239-1111 or 236-3770.
• Red Cross Psychosocial First Aider: Available at 236-8253 from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
• The Family Centre: Offers resources and grief support for parents and children. Contact 232-1116 for therapeutic support for children aged 4-18.

In case of a mental health crisis, individuals should call 911.

The Mental Health Act 1968 and Code of Practice 2020

The Mental Health Act 1968 is the primary piece of legislation that outlines the rights, requirements and restrictions for care and treatment for people with a mental disorder. Primarily, the Act sets the requirements for detaining a person if assessd as a risk to themselves or others due to a mental disorder. The 2019 Amendments updated the Act with expanded treatment options, consent requirements, and the establishment of a code of practice. 

The Mental Health Code of Practice outlines what is expected of all registered medical practitioners and other health professionals when treating and caring for patients with a mental disorder. The Code sets 9 key principles that must be upheld when providing services under the Act and details practice standards for:

a) community treatment orders;

b) obtaining consent to treatment; and

c) assessing capacity to consent to treatment.

The Code was created by the Bermuda Hospitals Board under the direction of the Minister of Health, with the first edition published in January 2021. The cover art for the Code of Practice is Mo’ Betta Blues by Lynwood Richardson, 2019.

For questions about the Code contact: MHA@bhb.bm

To access the required forms associated with the Code contact: (441) 236-3770. 

For more information on BHB provided mental health services go to: https://bermudahospitals.bm/services-listing/mental-health/mid-atlantic-wellness-institute/

Click the following link for a full list of The Directory of Helping Services

Mental Health Press Releases

"Mental Health Investment" - 23 September, 2024

"Government Strengthens Commitment to Mental Health with Enhanced Investment in Youth Initiatives" - 23 September, 2024

"Improving the quality of life of Bermudians" - 23

"Acute Adult Mental Health Integrated Care Pathway" - 7 February, 2024

"Ministry of Health Announces Development of Adult Mental Health Integrated Care Pathway" - 13 June, 2023

Mental Health Act Fact Sheets

A series of accessible Fact Sheets has been co-produced between Bermuda Hospitals Board and patient groups from Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.  These are made easy to read for as many people as possible.  They describe how different parts of the MHA Code of Practice should be followed.

The six Fact Sheets are:

1. Rules for Mental Health Care - Tells you about the principles (rules) in the Code and sets how the Act should be used by everyone.
2. Detained under the Mental Health Act - Sets out what it means if you are detained in hospital for assessment or treatment.
3. Community Treatment Order (CTO) - Tells you what it means if your treatment is given to you in the Community on a Community Treatment Order.
4. Making decisions about my care - Describes how you will be involved in making decisions about your care, and what steps will be taken if you do not have the capacity to make them for yourself.
5. Your Nearest Relative - Tells you who the law says is your Nearest Relative if you are detained under the MHA.  Sets out how your nearest relative can be involved in appeals to the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) and can make sure that your rights are protected.
6. Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) - Sets out how you can appeal to the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) if you do not think that you should be detained under the MHA.

The Mental Health Review Tribunal

The Mental Health Review Tribunal is established under Section 5 of the Mental Health Act 1968 and considers applications under Part V of the Act in relation to people who have been detained.

Visit our Health Boards, Councils and Committees page for details on other boards, councils and committees.