A sizeable turnout by residents at a mental health event yesterday saw calls for the social issue to be kept on the front burner.

The Mental Wellness Expo, organised jointly by the Bermuda Public Services Union and the Bermuda Hospitals Board, drew positive reactions from attendees, many of whom noted that similar events should be hosted to highlight the issue.

Several non-profit organisations were on hand to provide information and give advice to visitors at the event which was held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute on Crow Lane.

Kevin Grant, general secretary of the BPSU, said mental heath has been a “taboo subject” on the island for sometime.

He said: “We need to make people more aware of it, not just for the country but in the workplace as well.

“The mental health component is something that has been sort of not looked at as much as it should be looked at.

“We are starting to make some inroads and it seems as though the campaign is catching on in Bermuda.”

Karen Grant-Simmons, chair of the BPSU Mental Health Campaign committee, said a “wonderful flow” of individuals visited the event for information on the issue and services available on the island.

She said: “It is essential to have events such as this because mental health has been a taboo topic and we need to change that because everyone has mental health and we need to know how to take care of it.”

She added: “We want persons to feel comfortable while seeking assistance early, not when things are far gone.”

Ms Grant-Simmons said the BPSU plans to hold similar events in future and the organisation also intends to partner with other unions as well as stakeholders, including employers, to address the issue.

She said parent guides, non-profit organisations and BHB teams were on hand to provide information to visitors.

Rebecca Fisayo, a psychiatric nurse and a clinical manager of the mental health services provided by the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, said the event promoted strategies and helpful advice for people to take care of their mental health.

She said the importance of movement of the human body and its benefits to physical and mental health were shared with visitors.

Ms Fisayo said: “When we are faced with some stress we can’t deal with it and for those who are having mental health challenges, movement helps.

“For those who worry, we say channel the worry energy into exercise, go for a brisk walk because that way you are releasing the happy hormone which calms you down.”

Opposition Senate Leader Robin Tucker, who visited the event, said mental health was an important issue and was one which has not received the attention it deserved.

She said: “This is a fantastic event because it is shedding the light, there are resources here and the people here will be able to give tools to people visiting.

“It is a very important event, it is exciting actually, to be here because I don’t remember there being an event such as this, having the resources on hand and being collaboratively done.”

Ms Tucker said since Bermuda was a small island, there was no need for “silence” on the issue.

She added: “It is important for us to be able to have events such as this, whereby we could have those providers, where people could come together, take the silence down and actually get the information out.”

Leslie Grant, the executive director of Focus Counselling Services, said the event was important since residents are not always aware of what services are available on the island to treat mental health.

He said: “There are quite a few services as one can see here, quite a few on island but people just don’t know how to access them.”

Mr Grant said there is stigma around mental health and as such people sometimes view it as a challenge to reach out for help.

He added: “This event is looking to break some of that stigma and to also show people that we are here to help.”