The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

NEARLY four years after Parliament passed legislation to overhaul mental health care in The Bahamas, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the government is close to finalising a location for a halfway house for people with severe, chronic mental illnesses.

Dr Darville said an announcement is expected before the end of the year as the government continues efforts to implement the Mental Health Act 2022 and expand community-based treatment.

His comments follow a recent announcement by Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Owen Wells, that the government intends to seek Cabinet approval to purchase two safe houses, one for men and another for women, to accommodate people with mental health challenges living on the streets.

Mr Wells acknowledged last month that provisions of the Act relating to safe houses had yet to be brought into force, despite the legislation being passed in 2022 to replace laws dating back to 1969.

He said the ministry would bring a proposal to Cabinet “very shortly” to obtain approval to purchase the properties but did not provide a timeline for their acquisition or when they would begin operating.

It remains unclear whether the halfway house Dr Darville discussed is connected to the two safe houses proposed by Mr Wells or represents a separate initiative.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Mental Health Symposium, Dr Darville said the government had been taking steps to implement the legislation, including training and partnerships with the private sector.

“The act is very huge; it's very modern, and it's very expensive to bring many of the factors into force,” he said.

Dr Darville said the proposed halfway house would work with Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and Psychological Services to improve patients' quality of life and help rebuild relationships with their families.

He said the government also plans to strengthen community-based mental health care by deploying community mental health nurses to educate residents, identify people with chronic illnesses and help them receive treatment outside hospital settings where appropriate.

The initiative is intended to reduce admissions to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre by helping patients remain in their communities with support, particularly those who struggle to take their medication consistently.

Dr Darville said mental health services are already available at several government clinics, particularly in New Providence, but the ministry wants to expand access to psychological support for people experiencing anxiety and depression, as well as treatment for more severe conditions.

He said the ministry had spent the past two years developing support structures for public servants and was now preparing to expand services through community clinics.

Asked about the proposed introduction of mental health days for public servants, Dr Darville said discussions were continuing with the Ministry of Public Service to determine how the initiative would be implemented.

The Act was presented as a major reform intended to strengthen the rights of people with mental illnesses, improve access to appropriate care and establish stronger standards for mental health services.

However, its implementation has faced criticism over delays.

In September 2024, Dr Darville said the legislation would be brought into force “very shortly”.

Two months later, Free National Movement Senator Michaela Barnett-Ellis criticised the government for failing to fully implement the law, arguing that provisions intended to improve mental health care should not remain outstanding.