Bahamas Resilience Center

Our Background

The Grand Bahama Resilience Center (GBRC) was established to provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals, families, and communities can access mental health and psychosocial support. Recognizing the growing challenges posed by climate change, natural disasters, and social stressors, GBRC is committed to fostering resilience and long-term well-being in Grand Bahama and the wider Caribbean region. Our work is rooted in evidence-based interventions, strategic partnerships, and community-driven initiatives that promote emotional healing and psychological preparedness.

Our Mission

The mission of the Grand Bahama Resilience Center is to nurture resilience and growth in individuals, families, and the community by addressing the challenges posed by change and stress. We do this by:

• Leading efforts to increase mental health awareness and advocating for better mental health support systems.
• Developing and delivering programs that enhance knowledge and promote holistic wellness.
• Preparing the community to effectively manage mental health challenges before, during, and after disasters.
• Ensuring access to continuous, professional mental health counseling for sustained recovery and well-being.

Through these initiatives, we strive to create a strong, connected, and resilient community.

Our Impact

Counseling & Resilience Training

Provided mental health counseling and resilience training to 700 individuals, including corporate wellness sessions for organizations such as Freeport Container Port, RBC, GB Power, and the Department of Statistics.

Conducted multiple critical incident response counseling for workplace trauma and crises with various organizations including the public and private sector.

Hosted Wellness & Sensitivity Training focusing on team resilience (stress & burnout, communication and empathy, teamwork) for all public service offices including the police, custom officers, social services, administrators office, and ministry of works .

Community Outreach, Workshops & Youth Engagement

Reached 15,000+ individuals since 2020 through mental health campaigns, self-care initiatives, emotional regulation sessions, and youth engagement programs.

Provided workshops and seminars on topics such as teamwork, stress management, self-awareness, and suicide prevention.

Youth engagement programs, including Camp Discovery and Back 2 Basics, engaged 30-36 youth daily in personal development and life skills training.

Capacity Building & Volunteer Engagement

Trained 80+ individuals in partnerships with various groups such as the Bahamas Red Cross in Psychological First Aid & Psychosocial Support, equipping communities to support recovery efforts.

Recruited and trained 50 volunteers for seasonal programs, including summer camps and community outreach.

Wellness & Community Activities

Since 2020, over 9,300 individuals have participated in wellness and community activities, including creative arts, fitness programs, parent-child workshops, and annual wellness events.

Strategic Partnerships

Strengthened collaborations with Social Services, the Ministry of Education, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Grand Bahama Children's Home and the Magistrate Court to enhance mental health support for vulnerable populations

Our Vision

We envision Grand Bahama and the Caribbean as a beacon of resilience, where individuals, families, and communities are empowered to thrive amidst adversity. Our long-term goals include:

• Expanding mental health services to other Bahamian islands and throughout the Caribbean.
• Conducting research to improve disaster response in the region, particularly in the area of mental health, an often-overlooked component of recovery.
• Strengthening our capacity to provide training, awareness campaigns, and early intervention strategies that reduce the long-term impact of trauma and stress.

Our Services

We offer a wide range of programs and services for individuals of all ages, including:

Educational & Wellness Programs (All Ages)

• Knitting & Crocheting
• Games Club
• Ballroom Dancing
• Yoga
• Arts & Crafts
• Chess
• Reading Support
• Nanna Sheppard's Bedtime Stories
• Easter & Summer Youth Programs
• Literacy Appreciation
• Camp Discovery
• Back to Basics

Mental Health Support & Training

• Long-Term Disaster Mental Health Recovery & Planning
• Psychosocial Support Training
• Research & Data Collection for Improved Disaster Response
• Trauma Debriefings Following Critical Incidents
• Mental Health Awareness Campaigns
• Individual, Couples, and Group Counseling
• Youth Crisis Intervention

Support Groups & Workshops

• Parenting Classes
• Parenting Support Groups (Colour Me Ausome – Autism Support Group)
• Sister Circle (Female Support Group)
• Anger Management Sessions
• Self-Love Workshops
• Entrepreneurial & Empowerment Seminars

Our Future Goals

As the demand for mental health services grows, GBRC is committed to expanding its reach and ensuring accessible, affordable, and effective programs. Additional funding and strategic partnerships will allow us to:

• Recruit and train more qualified counselors, reducing wait times and increasing service delivery.
• Implement community-based mental health awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage early intervention.
• Equip communities with coping strategies for extreme weather events and integrate mental health support into disaster preparedness plans.
• Conduct further research on the long-term psychological impact of climate-related disasters to develop targeted interventions.

💡 Expanding Services to Other Islands in The Bahamas & the Caribbean
With the right investments, we can:

• Expand our footprint to other Bahamian islands by establishing satellite offices or mobile units that can reach remote and underserved areas, ensuring that mental health resources are available to all communities.
• Launch regional programs throughout the Caribbean to provide cross-border support to individuals facing similar challenges related to climate-induced trauma and mental health struggles.
• Create a digital platform for online mental health services, enabling remote access to counseling, workshops, and resources for people in isolated areas or those facing mobility challenges.

Through continued collaboration, innovation, and dedication, the Grand Bahama Resilience Center remains committed to ensuring that no one faces climate-related trauma alone. By scaling our impact, we aim to create a future where mental well-being and climate resilience go hand in hand.