It’s quite possible you’ve never heard of the Bermuda Mental Health Foundation.

Its board has pretty much avoided public fundraising and self-promotion since it was formed.

That’s all about to change.

As it celebrates its 20th year, the charity hopes to raise its profile in order to become a stronger advocate for the Island’s mentally ill.

To that end, it has appointed James Macdonald as its new chairman and established a website, bmhf.bm, and is active on Facebook and Twitter.

“The Foundation has always had a relatively low profile, fundraising was done privately in the past,” Mr Macdonald said. “It was important for the Foundation to let Bermuda know we are still here. We think the time is right to raise awareness; to fundraise and [better] advocate for the mental health population.

“We wanted to raise the profile and we’re working to bring that about. We want people to be aware of our services.”

Health Minister Jeanne Atherden will launch Mental Health Awareness Week at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute today. Bermuda Hospitals Board CEO Venetta Symonds, chief of psychiatry Chantelle Simmons and COO Patrice Dill will join her in an effort to draw attention to this year’s theme, ‘Living with Schizophrenia’.

“We work closely with MWI and their professional staff,” said Mr Macdonald. A retired partner at CD&P, he’s been on the Foundation board since 1997.

“Back in the ‘90s we implemented a new model that dealt with the community, with the mental health population,” he explained. “We made strides, but not enough to meet the demands of the clients.”

Their successes include two residences purchased and managed a group accommodation for the mentally ill. The first, which accommodates seven in Hamilton Parish, was bought in 1997. A second property in Pembroke, bought in 2000, houses eight.

The group is now fundraising to open a third.

“The Foundation was founded in 1994 with a mission to be a resounding voice and advocate for those suffering with mental illness in Bermuda,” a spokesperson said. “Founding members ... had a vision to assist with providing mental health group home facilities and general mental health education with a goal to increase awareness, quality of life and care for the mentally ill and their families.

“It is the Island’s singular organisation that advocates on behalf of those suffering from mental illnesses and actively attempts to enhance the care of the mentally ill in conjunction with the Island’s only mental health hospital, [MWI].”

Added Foundation member Jodi Lewis: “Mental health is a huge issue in Bermuda [especially as we’re] on a small island and there’s a stigma attached.

“When people talk about mental health they usually think about the more severe issues but there’s also anxiety, panic attacks, stress and so on.

“I think people are experiencing more breakdowns due to the economic times.

“The Human Rights Commission is working to improve it [but] every other progressive country has rights for the mental ill. In Bermuda we have rights for the physically disabled, sexual orientation, race and religion, but not [for people who are mentally ill].”