Work to create a comprehensive mental health pathway for the island is still ongoing, according to the Ministry of Health.

A spokeswoman said progress has been made on the creation of an Adult Mental Health Integrated Care Pathway, one of several ongoing universal health coverage projects.

The spokeswoman added that to date more than 20 studies and databases had been consulted, more than 50 interviews had been carried out and more than 40 stakeholders had been engaged with as part of a series of workshops.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said: “The mental health needs of our community continue to grow and have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As the ministry works to implement overall health system reform, this Adult Mental Health Integrated Care Pathway will serve to strengthen the support provided to adults in our community who are struggling with mental health challenges and improve access to essential mental healthcare services.”

Ms Wilson said collaboration was a focus of the effort to implement universal health coverage on the island, with Anna Neilson-Williams, the chief of psychiatry at the Bermuda Hospitals Board, chairing a multidisciplinary group to lead the mental health pathway’s creation.

“The care pathway mapping process includes one-on-one interviews, stakeholder workshops, meetings with medical professionals, and a community survey,” Ms Wilson added.

“The community survey sought feedback on people’s recent experiences accessing and using mental health services, including what kind of support was received and what could be improved in the future.

“Feedback received from all contributors is being used to inform the development of a map of Bermuda’s current and future mental health landscape that should ultimately strengthen mental healthcare for our community.”