Love in action: February at Family Centre |
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Celebrating Love, Support & Belonging |
Adolescent Mental Health: Changing the Conversation |
Family Centre has launched an island-wide Adolescent Mental Health Anti-Stigma Campaign: 'Real Talk: It’s OK Not to Be OK.'
This social awareness campaign targets Bermuda’s youth as a direct response to local adolescent mental health research conducted by Dr. Daniel Cavanagh in 2022, which surveyed 76% of Bermuda’s youth population at public and private schools.
Key Study Findings: - Many adolescents perceive seeking mental health support as a sign of weakness or failure.
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Youth in Bermuda ages 10-18 experience symptoms of anxiety and depression at rates 5-6% higher than global averages.
These findings are deeply concerning, particularly when stigma and fear of judgment prevent young people from seeking help and lead them to suffer in silence. Family Centre is committed to ensuring access to support without barriers, and it is our hope that this campaign encourages youth ages 10 -18 to seek help when needed to ensure their mental, emotional and social wellbeing.
View the Adolescent Mental Health Anti-Stigma Campaign video below. We invite you to visit our website and access useful tips on how to help young people seek help when needed and not suffer in silence. Adults can also find tips on how to talk to young people who may be experiencing challenges. Visit https://tfc.bm/realtalk
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Join Family Centre Executive Director, Dr. Sandy De Silva and Community Support Worker, Jahmali Bridgewater for a free EAP Wellness Wednesday Webinar: "Social Media, Group Chats, Gaming and Growing Up: Navigating Technology with Your Child".
Thank you EAP Bermuda for the opportunity to share practical tips for parents on managing screen time, navigating online risks, and strengthening parent-child communication to support healthy, age-appropriate technology use.
Tune in on February 18, 2026 from 12 – 1pm
Register now & Learn more: eap.bm/webinars |
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Register Now: Free Counselling Group Offerings |
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Co-Parenting and Divorce is a five-week interactive Family Group workshop series. Using the Two Families Now curriculum, participants will learn how to effectively co-parent, discuss how to help children adjust during separation and divorce, learn strategies to reduce co-parenting conflict, learn co-parenting styles, and how to handle stress effectively.
Family Centre’s Co-Parenting & Divorce series is offered in two separate groups to accommodate parent preferences. Please note that attendance at all five sessions is required to receive a certificate of completion. Register now!
Co-Parenting and Divorce
February 23 - March 23, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Family Centre
A light dinner is served from 5:30-6:00 PM, and childcare is provided.
For more information, call Family Centre at (441) 232-1116 or email info@tfc.bm. |
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Zones of Regulation is a five-week social skills group for children ages 7-9. During weekly sessions on Tuesdays, the Family Centre Counselling Team will help children to develop and practice: - Self-Regulation Skills: Understanding and managing their emotions effectively.
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Friendship Skills: Learning how to be a good friend and build positive relationships.
- Coping Strategies: Practising ways to handle challenges and stress.
Zones of Regulation Social Skills Group March 1 - 31, 2026
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM at Family Centre Sign up by calling 232-1116. Registration deadline is February 20, 2026. Limited spaces are available. For more information, contact Family Centre and speak with our screener. Call (441) 232-1116 or email info@tfc.bm. |
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Community Programmes in Action |
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| Preparing our Youth for a Brighter Future Family Centre Community Programmes help to develop confident young people, open doors to opportunities, and create pathways to access therapeutic services. We help youth to develop teamwork, decision making, leadership, social skills, self-regulation and the satisfaction that comes from working to one’s fullest potential. |
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Spotlight on Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) |
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Family Centre is committed to providing opportunities through our Youth Leadership Academy and Beyond programmes to help young people better understand what steps they need to take to reach their goals.
Our annual YLA & Community Programmes Career Fair will take place on February 19, 2026. This event is open to all youth participants of Family Centre programmes and their invited guests.
Check out our video from last year's event! Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service spoke about the importance of Career Fairs to our youth. |
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| YLA is gearing up for the annual delivery of Phase 1: Youth Leadership Intensive (YLI) week from April 13-17, 2026, bringing together youth and adults to increase the understanding they have of themselves and others. Teens learn skills such as public speaking, making positive choices, cooperation, and habits related to setting and pursuing positive life goals. |
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Love, Support & Belonging: Family Centre's Community programmes provide safe spaces for our youth and their families to strengthen connections and a sense of belonging. Below are flyers from recent small group workshops. |
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Rage Room – YLA Mother/Son Workshop |
| Visualize Your Future – YLA Girls Support Circle |
| Risks & Rewards – YLA Boys Support Circle |
| A Night of Love: Candle Making Edition – YLA Mother/Daughter Workshop |
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In the Spotlight: Advocacy & Collective Action Initiatives |
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Underage Drinking:
Talking About What’s Often Left Unsaid
Quiet as it’s kept, underaged drinking in Bermuda is a real issue - one that needs to be talked about. Family Centre Counselling team members Ge’Von Greaves, Raynisha Simmons, and Carissa Darrell spoke with RG Mags to explore how cultural norms and adult behaviour influence the choices children and teens make. The team suggests these actions to help shift the conversation at home and in our communities: • be aware of your young person’s comings and goings
• ask questions and be curious about their friends and whereabouts
• monitor phones and social media
• observe signs of alcohol use, like slurred speech, glossy eyes or the smell of liquor
• have open, honest conversations about alcohol
• model healthy alcohol etiquette and be mindful of how much alcohol you consume when children are present
• avoid keeping alcohol in the home if possible
Read the Article
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| Making the Invisible Visible:
Safeguarding our Children in a Digital World
The rise of social media and smartphones has changed childhood. While technology connects, entertains and educates, it also carries risks that are impacting young people’s mental health. At Family Centre, we see unfiltered screen use contributing to anxiety, disrupted sleep and social isolation. The average teenager now spends 4+ hours a day on screens. This is in addition to their online schoolwork, and much of the screen time is unsupervised. We cannot ignore these realities. But we can take steps, together, to safeguard our children: 1. Recognise that change is needed
2. Limit smartphones in schools
3. Delay social media until children are developmentally ready
4. Foster real-world independence and connections Sandy De Silva, PsyD shares her expertise on this real risk to our young people. Read the Article |
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TOYA Mini-Youth Conference
Family Centre’s Community and Counselling teams participated in the Big Up Yaself National Mini-Youth Conference in January, hosted by The Office of Youth Affairs (TOYA). Six members of Family Centre's team delivered two engaging workshops on Mental Health in the Digital World & Impact on Self-Esteem for senior school students as well as primary and middle school students. Using interactive activities, youth explored online safety, digital wellness, self-esteem, and healthy boundaries with technology. While the digital world is here to stay, mindful choices can help protect mental health and emotional wellbeing. |
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Mental Health Advocacy Recognition |
Family Centre receives a Mental Health Advocacy Recognition Award from the Ministry of Health, presented to Director of Counselling Services, Susan Richardson.
This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment as a mental health service provider to advocate for accessible, compassionate, and responsive support for children, teens, and families across Bermuda. Every day, Family Centre mental health professionals work with children, teens, and families to reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, and provide meaningful and proven pathways to care.
A big thank you to the Ministry of Health for this acknowledgement, and to the many individuals and partners who continue to share their voices, advocate for change, and remind us that healing is possible when communities listen and respond with care. |
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Donors Share Holiday Joy with Families |
Aerie's Adventures Nursery & Preschool visited Family Centre to sing carols, bring joy and a special donation. |
Thank you for sharing joy with our children, teens and families! We are grateful to all the companies, individuals, families and groups who donated gift items, vouchers (food, electricity, pharmacy, clothing, gifts), and grocery hampers. Families were supported by very kind donations to meet their specific needs through Family Centre's Hardship Fund and 'Adopt a Family' programme. |
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| Hamilton Princess' Christmas Wish Breakfast Gift Drive benefited children at Family Centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Gina Spence Program. |
Bermuda Boys Brigade, Church Girls’ Brigade, and the St. Paul’s Guild hosted their Christmas Car Wash and donated BELCO vouchers for families. |
| The International Women's Club (IWC) of Bermuda donated 30 Christmas hampers containing food and essentials for our families.
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Liberty Mutual Bermuda staff donated gifts for children in our programmes and services through their annual Angel Initiative. |
| Members of Positive Results Gym helped to stock our Holiday Food Pantry with grocery items for Family Centre client families. |
Our Holiday Pantry was fully stocked all season, thanks to several donors, including Appleby Global Corporate Services and Peace Lutheran Church. |
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Deloitte brightened the holidays for children in our Counselling Services with their annual Christmas donations. |
Calling all superheroes! We're on a mission to ensure every child and teen gets the support they need, but we need YOUR help to make it happen! |
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Fidelity 5K Run and Walk in support of Family Centre Sunday, March 1, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Run, Volunteer, or Cheer Us On! Family Centre has been selected as the beneficiary charity of the Fidelity 5K for the third year in a row! Volunteer as a Road Marshal or Sign up for the Race and help us to strengthen vulnerable children and families in Bermuda.
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| Beyond Rugby Bermuda
Support youth learning and development! Sign up now to help high school students with homework, school assignments, personal and professional development. We are particularly looking for volunteers proficient in high school level Math*, Science and Spanish. Programme runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45 – 4:45 PM. Sign up now to Volunteer!
* High School Math is our #1 most needed subject area. |
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Fidelity 5K Run and Walk - Sunday, March 1, 8–10 AM | Volunteer or Join the Race
Family Centre "Pot of Gold" Annual Virtual Fundraising Event – March 2026
Beyond Rugby Bermuda – Ongoing until May 2026 | Volunteer
Family Centre Cup Match Tag Day – Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Butterfield Bermuda Championship – October 22-26, 2026 | Volunteer
World Children’s Day Denim Day – Friday, November 20, 2026 |
Thank you for joining us in our mission to facilitate healing, hope, and connection to strengthen families and create a healthier Bermuda for our children.
Forward this email to your colleagues, family, and friends! |
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| We are Hiring!
Join our Team! Family Centre is seeking a Counselling Team Leader and Family Support Specialist. Do you know someone with experience delivering high-quality therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and families across Bermuda? Please share this opportunity. Visit https://tfc.bm/now-hiring for more information.
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Our Contact Information
Family Centre
Sunshine League House
27 King Street
Pembroke HM19
(441) 232-1116
www.tfc.bm
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Bermuda Registered Charity #378 |
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