The Bermuda Hospitals Board has launched a competition to rename the St. Brendan's psychiatric hospital as part of its Mental Health Awareness Week.

"The aim of this year's campaign is to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health, particularly among the 16-24 year old demographic," a statement from the BHB said.

Renaming St. Brendan's, the BHB hoped, would "reflect the entry into a new period of increased understanding and acceptance of mental health issues in Bermuda".

A recent public perception survey showed Bermuda residents may not be adequately familiar with mental health issues, the BHB said.

This indicated a need to increase understanding about the prevalence of mental illness and to remove the stigma associated with it.

"The sense of embarrassment and stigma associated with mental illness is a significant barrier to people seeking the help they need," hospital director Patrice Dill said.

"Our goal is to help the community understand that mental illness is not a weakness, and that it can affect anyone, from any walk of life. We also want to let residents know that help is available."

The St. Brendan's renaming competition is open to members of the public aged 16 and over. The name of St. Brendan, the patron saint of mariners, sailors, travellers and whales, has been associated with psychiatric care in Bermuda since the 1800s.

"Care for people with mental health disorders, learning disabilities and substance abuse problems has improved dramatically over this period as a result of increased knowledge, well-trained staff, a move towards community care and new medicines," the BHB said.

The hospital covers all areas of psychiatry and offers separate services for dealing with learning disabilities and substance abuse. It also consults with the prisons regarding forensic psychiatric services, and with the general hospital and social service agencies.

St. Brendan's has 130 in-patient beds, several community group homes and serves approximately 1,200 outpatients per year.

It has been accredited for the past 25 years by the Canadian Council on Health Services Administration and is recognised by the Royal College of Psychiatry as a training site.

"Mental health is an important issue in Bermuda," BHB CEO Joan Dillas-Wright said. "We encourage the community to take advantage of this opportunity to educate themselves about the various issues surrounding mental health."

Prizes will be awarded to the winner and two runners-up in the renaming contest. For more information and entry guidelines, please call 236-3770 or visit www.bermudahospitals.bm. Deadline for submissions is October 15, 2004.