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Organizational Background

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The Grand Bahama Resilience Center (GBRC) was established by Caritas Antilles in March 2020 in response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Dorian, one of the most severe climate-related disasters in The Bahamas. However, our work extends far beyond disaster recovery. We are dedicated to strengthening mental health resilience year-round.

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Initially, we operated virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, offering remote counseling and psychoeducation to those affected by the storm. As restrictions lifted, we transitioned to in-person services at our seven-room facility in the Lucaya Shopping Plaza, expanding our reach and deepening our impact.

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In November 2020, recognizing the ongoing mental health crisis in Abaco, we extended our services by hiring a social worker for a one-year project to support hurricane survivors. This initiative reinforced our commitment to long-term recovery across The Bahamas.

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By November 2021, our organization was officially registered as the Bahamas Resilience Center, solidifying our role as a leading institution in mental health advocacy and climate resilience. Over the years, we have expanded our programs, conducting professional development sessions for educators, spearheading youth mental health campaigns, partnering with local organizations to host wellness events, and providing mental health support for vulnerable populations.

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In 2024, the Grand Bahama Port Authority generously donated a building to support our expansion, and the TX Foundation funded a major extension, allowing us to continue critical programming while adding a group room and storage spaces. This expansion strengthens our ability to meet holistic needs, as we work toward providing food and clothing assistance. In late 2024, we partnered with local organizations such as Hands for Hunger to distribute food parcels, furthering our mission to support overall well-being in our community.

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Today, we continue to grow, ensuring that mental health care remains a priority not just in times of disaster, but every day.

Our Impact

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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.

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Meeting SDGs

The Grand Bahama Resilience Center (GBRC) aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its commitment to improving mental health, building resilience, and promoting well-being in communities across The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Here are the key SDGs that the GBRC supports:

 

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Mental Health Support:

GBRC provides mental health services, including counseling, trauma recovery, and psychosocial support to individuals, addressing mental well-being during and after disasters.

Wellness Programs: The center offers programs that focus on physical health, stress management, self-care, and preventive mental health, contributing to healthier communities.

Youth Mental Health:

GBRC’s work with youth leaders, schools, and parents ensures that young people receive the necessary support to maintain mental and emotional well-being.

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2. SDG 4: Quality Education

Educational Support:

GBRC offers literacy programs, reading support, and youth development initiatives that improve educational outcomes for children and adults, particularly through Camp Discovery and Back to Basics.

 

Training and Capacity Building: GBRC conducts trainings and workshops for youth leaders, educators, and caregivers, equipping them with the tools to support the mental health and development of children and youth.

Educational Campaigns: The center promotes mental health awareness and psychosocial support through community outreach, increasing knowledge about the importance of mental well-being.

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3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

Sister Circle (Female Support Group): GBRC provides a safe space for women to gather, support each other, and discuss issues such as mental health, self-care, and empowerment.

 

Gender-Sensitive Programs: The center designs programs that address the unique mental health needs of women and girls, especially during and after disasters.

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4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequality

Support for Vulnerable Populations: GBRC works with vulnerable groups, including those affected by climate change, youth at risk, and individuals from marginalized communities, offering mental health support and capacity-building programs to reduce disparities. Youth and Family Support: The center provides programs that help bridge the gap for families facing behavioral challenges, poverty, or trauma, fostering equal opportunities for healing and development.

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5. SDG 13: Climate Action

Climate-Resilient Mental Health: 

Climate change has intensified natural disasters, displacement, and long-term psychological distress for Bahamian communities. Recognizing this, GBRC goes beyond traditional mental health care by integrating climate resilience strategies into our programs. The Center focuses on:

  • Disaster Preparedness & Mental Health Training – Equipping individuals with coping mechanisms before, during, and after disasters.

  • Community Healing Spaces – Programs like Knitting & Crocheting Circles, Games Club, and Low-Impact Exercise create safe spaces for emotional recovery after climate-related stressors.

  • Educational & Youth Support – Climate change has disrupted education, increasing anxiety among children. Our reading programs, etiquette classes, chess, summer programs, and Back 2 Basics initiative help children build resilience and regain stability.

  • Workplace Mental Health & Resilience Training – Supporting government and private sector employees facing climate-related stressors, such as disaster response teams and frontline workers.

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6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Strategic Partnerships: GBRC collaborates with key organizations such as the Bahamas Red Cross, the Ministry of Education, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Hands for Hunger and the Grand Bahama Children’s Home, fostering collective action to address mental health needs, provie holistic support and build community resilience. Cross-Sector Collaboration: Through partnerships with schools, churches, and government ministries, GBRC fosters cross-sector collaboration to strengthen the overall capacity of communities to handle mental health and disaster recovery.​

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Opportunities for Growth and Expansion

As demand for climate-informed mental health services continues to rise, the Grand Bahama Resilience Center (GBRC) is positioned to expand our impact across The Bahamas and the Caribbean, reaching more individuals in need of mental health support, disaster preparedness, and resilience-building services.

With the right resources and support, we can accelerate service delivery, strengthen community engagement, and provide climate-resilient mental health services that empower individuals to navigate climate-related stress and trauma effectively.

 

​​Our Vision for Expansion

🌱 Building a Stronger Mental Health Workforce Across the Region

  • Expand our mental health workforce by recruiting and training more qualified counselors and mental health professionals to meet growing demand and reduce wait times for services.

  • Provide specialized training in climate-related trauma and disaster response, ensuring a more effective and targeted response to the mental health needs of individuals in the face of crises, particularly in disaster-prone areas throughout the region.

  • Strengthen training for youth leaders, educators, and caregivers to equip them with the skills needed to provide psychosocial support to children and families, especially those experiencing trauma or mental health challenges.

🗣️ Promoting Mental Health Awareness & Early Intervention

  • Invest in community-based mental health awareness campaigns across The Bahamas and the Caribbean to reduce stigma, promote early intervention, and encourage individuals to seek help before mental health concerns escalate.

  • Partner with schools, churches, and social service agencies to integrate mental health education and support into the fabric of everyday life, providing proactive resources and prevention strategies for youth and families.

  • Expand parenting and family-focused programming to help caregivers navigate emotional and behavioral challenges within their families, fostering long-term well-being and resilience.

🏝️ Strengthening Mental Health Services & Climate Change Resilience
Climate change is creating new challenges for the mental health of individuals and communities in The Bahamas and across the Caribbean. In response, we aim to:
✅ Equip communities with coping strategies to help them manage climate-related stress, including extreme weather events, loss of property, and displacement.
✅ Integrate mental health support into disaster preparedness plans and ensure that services are available both before and after disasters, addressing trauma and emotional well-being from start to recovery.
✅ Conduct research on the psychological impact of climate-related disasters in the Caribbean, filling the gap in disaster response by focusing on mental health, an often overlooked area in traditional relief efforts.
✅ Develop evidence-based interventions that address the long-term trauma survivors experience, and ensure that mental health support is ongoing throughout the recovery process.

💡 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.

Research for Better Disaster Mental Health Response in the Region

  • Conduct additional research on the long-term psychological effects of climate-related disasters in the region. This research will help us refine our disaster response strategies and develop tailored interventions that address the mental health needs of affected populations.

  • Partner with academic institutions, NGOs, and international agencies to collect data on how climate change is reshaping the mental health landscape in the Caribbean, using this data to inform future mental health policies and interventions.

  • Develop mental health-specific disaster response protocols that fill the gaps in current disaster relief efforts, ensuring that mental health support becomes a central component of emergency preparedness plans across the region.

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