The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, the mental health arm of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, will join observances around the globe this week to mark World Mental Health Day, adopting a theme centred on amplifying the voices of those who have personally experienced mental health challenges.

Under the banner "Lived Experience Heard: Real Voices, Real Change," the initiative seeks to place individuals with firsthand knowledge of mental illness at the heart of the conversation, both in Bermuda and internationally. Organisers say the approach reflects a growing recognition that personal testimony can drive meaningful reform in how mental health services are designed and delivered.

A spokesperson for the Bermuda Hospitals Board said the institute was embracing the theme as part of a broader commitment to reducing stigma and encouraging open dialogue about mental wellbeing across the island. The observance aligns Bermuda with communities worldwide marking the annual awareness day.

Mental health advocates on the island have long called for greater public understanding of conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to more severe psychiatric illnesses, and events tied to the day are expected to highlight the importance of listening to those directly affected. Residents are encouraged to engage with the campaign and support efforts aimed at fostering a more compassionate and informed community response to mental health issues.