In an effort to strengthen mental health after a natural disaster, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Ministry of Health, the Bahamas Psychological Association (BPA) and the Healthy Bahamas Coalition (HBC) hosted a media forum at the Harry C. Moore Auditorium, University of The Bahamas. The theme of the forum was "Are we depressed? Telling stories of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Disasters through Bahamian media".
The purpose of this media forum was to provide media journalists with information and strategies to assist communities in the region to better cope with the psychological impact of adverse events before, during and after a disaster situation. Additionally, awareness was raised to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).
Journalists from various media houses and journalism students participated in the panel discussion. Attendees also viewed a video presentation regarding the Survivor's perspective and the Journalist's perspective on the media's role in MHPSS.
