Bermuda – Mental Health

How is mental health viewed in Bermuda?

Bermuda’s government has made mental health a prominent public health priority, but cultural stigma continues to be a significant challenge. In 2026, the island observed Mental Health Anti-Stigma Month in May — a Ministry of Health initiative designed to raise awareness, encourage open dialogue, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. This annual campaign reflects a sustained, top-down commitment to normalising conversations about mental wellbeing.

Bermuda’s Health Minister Kim Wilson has stated plainly that “stigma remains one of the greatest barriers preventing individuals from seeking help,” noting that while more than one billion people worldwide live with a mental health condition, many do not access care due to fear of discrimination or misunderstanding — and that local data confirms many residents experience mental health challenges each year.

Statistics underline the scale of the challenge: one in four people in Bermuda will face a mental health challenge at some point in their lives. Yet for too long, stigma has prevented many from seeking the support they need. The government has expressed a commitment to building a Bermuda where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

Awareness around the importance of mental health care has increased, but a stigma still exists around therapy in Bermuda. One consequence of this is that people may prefer online therapy precisely because they will not encounter anyone they know — reports indicate that many residents will not present themselves to a physical location due to fear of being recognised.

Since the early 1980s, mental health policy in Bermuda has focused on making services more accessible, more community-oriented, and less stigmatised. The closure of two long-stay wards in the 1980s provided the momentum for the development of community mental health teams. The 2024 review of the Integrated Acute Care Pathway reaffirmed the importance of coordinated, person-centred mental health services, and commitments in the recent Throne Speech emphasised strengthening mental health services, increasing public awareness, and normalising conversations around mental wellbeing.

The Mental Health Act 1968 is the primary legislation that outlines the rights, requirements, and restrictions for care and treatment for people with a mental disorder, and sets the requirements for detaining a person assessed as a risk to themselves or others. This framework is broadly comparable to mental health legislation found in other jurisdictions, such as the UK’s Mental Health Act 1983, in that it balances compulsory care provisions with patient rights.

Bermuda’s healthcare comprises both private and public initiatives. Employees are required to obtain health insurance for themselves and their dependants, and for those who are not insured, the government provides support through the public system. Expats employed in Bermuda are generally required to have health insurance in place, which may cover some mental health services — always check your policy carefully to understand what is included.

Are counselling and therapy services available for expats in Bermuda?

Yes — Bermuda has a growing number of private therapy and counselling providers, as well as telehealth services tailored to those who prefer remote access. Expat counsellors and psychotherapists provide services to people who have adjustment and other personal, professional, and familial issues while living in Bermuda, and expat life can be much more rewarding with the help of these trained professionals.

The following are key private providers offering therapy and counselling services in Bermuda:

Seaglass Clinical Consulting

Seaglass Clinical Consulting provides integrated psychiatric and psychological support which can include medication, talking therapies, experiential therapies, or a uniquely-tailored combination. Their focus is on helping clients navigate painful emotional states — whether persistent sadness and low motivation of depression, constant worry and tension of anxiety, or difficulty processing traumatic events. With over 30 years of combined clinical experience, their expert clinicians work alongside clients to reduce emotional pain and help bring back joy and hope.

As a first step, new clients have an assessment with the Consultant Psychiatrist, which allows a full exploration of all the aspects contributing to mental health struggles — physical, emotional, social, and spiritual — providing an expert formulation and a treatment plan.

Seaglass is an integrative practice, primarily using psychodynamic and existential approaches, and the clinical psychologist has extensive training in Mentalisation-based Therapy (MBT) for adults, adolescents, and children — an attachment-based therapy that privileges the way we relate to each other and our capacity to reflect.

• Website: seaglass.bm

Milestones Ltd

Milestones Ltd is a registered health services provider with the Bermuda Health Council (BHeC), authorised to practise psychotherapy and clinical counselling. The practice also holds membership with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). The group brings together several registered clinical psychologists with broad experience in individual, group, and family therapy settings.

Dr Alicia M. Hancock is a registered clinical psychologist in Bermuda who returned to the island in 2006 and transitioned into private practice in 2007, with 16 years of clinical experience spanning inpatient psychiatric hospital settings, outpatient services, and school-based settings, with a diverse background covering both adults and children.

• Phone: (441) 295-7766
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: reachyourmilestones.com

TeleConnect Bermuda

Telehealth pioneer and clinical counsellor Dayla Burgess founded TeleConnect Bermuda in October 2024, providing online counselling services to adults with mild to moderate mental health symptoms. For expats who prefer to avoid in-person appointments on a small island where anonymity can be hard to maintain, online-first services like TeleConnect offer a practical and private option.

The practice is rooted in the mind-body connection, takes a trauma-informed approach to working with individuals and groups, and offers individual counselling, family psychoeducation, and organisational outreach. They take a person-centred approach and offer a free initial call to assess suitability.

TeleConnect’s website also includes a Therapist Directory of Bermuda-based mental health professionals, including psychologists, child and adolescent counsellors, clinicians specialised in counselling men and boys, and a thanatologist who specialises in grief support.

• Website: connectbda.com

What other organisations provide mental health services in Bermuda?

Beyond private therapy providers, Bermuda has a network of public and charitable organisations offering mental health support at various levels of need — from acute psychiatric care to workplace counselling and community support.

Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI)

The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) is designed to provide comprehensive clinical treatment services to the people of Bermuda without regard to financial means, race, religion, or sexual orientation. It also offers mental health education to the community at large through employers, schools, and community organisations. MWI is the sole psychiatric hospital in Bermuda. For those coming from systems such as the NHS in the UK or public mental health systems in other countries, MWI functions as Bermuda’s equivalent of a publicly accessible psychiatric service, though health insurance is still required for many residents.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists from the United Kingdom has accredited MWI as a teaching hospital, meaning junior doctors can use one year of employment at MWI as credit toward their clinical placements to become psychiatrists. This accreditation is a mark of clinical quality benchmarked against international standards.

The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute operates a 24-hour crisis line — a vital resource for anyone experiencing a mental health emergency.

• 24-hour crisis line: 239-1111 or 236-3770
• Website: bermudahospitals.bm

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Bermuda

EAP Bermuda is a non-profit consortium of public and private sector employers who have joined together to bring counselling, consulting, and support services under one roof. It is the only accredited EAP on the island. If your employer is a member, you may be entitled to free, confidential counselling sessions — a benefit worth checking when you start a new role in Bermuda.

Whether you are seeking individual counselling, workplace mediation, or access to valuable resources, EAP’s services are designed to cater to your unique needs. EAP focuses on prevention by offering core employee training that enhances emotional intelligence, stress management, and conflict resolution skills.

• Website: eap.bm

Bermuda Mental Health Foundation (BMHF)

The Bermuda Mental Health Foundation is a registered charity (Charity #394) that works to improve awareness of and support for mental health across the island. The Foundation recognises that people often do not get the mental health services they need because they do not know where to start, and encourages individuals to speak to a primary care doctor or health professional about mental health concerns and ask them to help connect with the right services.

The Foundation also runs the Mindful Employer Certification programme, making mental health a workplace priority. This initiative encourages businesses to embed mental health-friendly policies and practices, and is similar in concept to the UK’s Mindful Employer Charter.

• Website: bmhf.bm

The Family Centre

The Family Centre offers resources and grief support for parents and children, with therapeutic support available for children aged 4–18. This is particularly useful for expat families navigating the transition of relocating with young children, who may experience their own emotional challenges during the adjustment period.

• Phone: 232-1116
• Website: gov.bm/mental-health

Red Cross Psychosocial First Aid (Bermuda)

The Red Cross Psychosocial First Aider service is available at 236-8253 from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. This service is designed for people needing immediate emotional support following trauma or acute distress, and can serve as an important bridge while waiting for longer-term counselling to be arranged.

• Phone: 236-8253 (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm)

Government Mental Health Resources

The Government of Bermuda’s Ministry of Health maintains an online mental health hub with links to agencies, legislation, and the Directory of Helping Services — a comprehensive listing of support organisations across the island. In case of a mental health crisis, individuals should call 911.

• Website: gov.bm/mental-health

Frequently asked questions

Is mental health treatment free in Bermuda?

Mental health care in Bermuda is not universally free. Bermuda’s healthcare system comprises both private and public initiatives, and employees are required to obtain health insurance for themselves and their dependants. For those who are not insured, the government provides support through the public system. The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute provides services regardless of financial means, but you should check the scope of your health insurance cover before accessing care.

Can I access therapy online while living in Bermuda?

The availability of telehealth services has expanded significantly, reducing many of the barriers to seeking mental healthcare. TeleConnect Bermuda, founded in October 2024, provides online counselling services to adults with mild to moderate mental health symptoms. Online therapy also helps address concerns about privacy on a small island where face-to-face appointments may feel less anonymous.

What should I do in a mental health emergency in Bermuda?

In a mental health crisis, individuals should call 911. The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute also operates a 24-hour crisis line at 239-1111 or 236-3770. These services are available around the clock and are the primary point of contact for acute psychiatric emergencies.

Does stigma around mental health affect access to care in Bermuda?

Awareness around the importance of mental health care has increased, but a stigma still exists around therapy in Bermuda. Because of this stigma, many people will not present themselves to a physical location for treatment. The government’s annual Mental Health Anti-Stigma Month campaign, held each May, is designed to address this barrier directly.

Are there mental health services specifically for children in Bermuda?

The Family Centre offers resources and grief support for parents and children, with therapeutic support available for children aged 4–18 by calling 232-1116. Seaglass Clinical Consulting also offers individual sessions for children alongside a Pony Psychotherapy Programme at Windreach and a Puppy Play Therapy Programme in schools, as well as animal-assisted ADHD assessments.

Can my employer in Bermuda help with mental health support?

EAP Bermuda is a non-profit consortium of public and private sector employers that brings counselling, consulting, and support services under one roof, and is the only accredited Employee Assistance Programme on the island. Ask your HR department whether your employer is a member, as this may entitle you to free, confidential counselling sessions.

How is mental health law structured in Bermuda?

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, and sets the requirements for detaining a person assessed as a risk to themselves or others due to a mental disorder. The Bermuda Hospitals Board has also produced a Code of Practice and accessible fact sheets explaining how the Act is applied in practice.

Is MWI internationally accredited?

The Royal College of Psychiatrists from the United Kingdom has accredited MWI as a teaching hospital, meaning junior doctors can use one year of employment at MWI, rotating through four specialties, as credit toward their clinical placements to become psychiatrists. This international accreditation is an important quality benchmark for patients seeking assurance about the standard of care provided.