Miller School of Medicine’s Global Institute Team Hosts Abaco Islands Youth Mental Health Mini-Conference
Students, teachers and counselors met to discuss what mental health support for students could look like in the island chain that was devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
In September 2019, Hurricane Dorian tore through the northern Bahamas, leaving the Abaco Islands devastated. Homes were destroyed, families displaced, and entire communities were forced to confront not only the physical damage left behind, but the deep and lasting emotional toll of the storm. In the years that followed, the island’s young people carried the weight of that trauma, compounded by loss, instability and, later, the isolation and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Against this backdrop, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Global Institute hosted a Youth Mental Health Mini-Conference in the Abaco Islands, creating a rare and much-needed space for conversation, reflection and connection. Students, teachers and guidance counselors gathered to discuss what meaningful mental health support for students in grades 7 through 12 could, and should, look like on the island.
“Youth are interested in learning more about mental health and value strategies and techniques to help cope and regulate their emotions. They were clearly asking for resources and support, and aware of their own needs and those of their peers,” said Elizabeth Pulgarón, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and associate professor of clinical pediatrics at the Miller School, who attended the conference.
A Space to Talk
The conference was organized by Didi Bertrand Farmer, associate director for global programs and partnerships of the Global Institute, in collaboration with the local divisions of the Ministries of Health and Education. The event brought together 200 students and 50 teachers and guidance counselors.
“The goal was really to provide a space for young people to talk about what mental health support could look like for them,” Bertrand Farmer explained, “and to explore ways the school system can be better equipped to support them.”
Alongside common challenges such as peer pressure, bullying and academic strain, the lingering effects of the hurricane and the pandemic have intensified mental health needs. Bertrand Farmer noted that suicide attempts among young people have been reported, underscoring the urgency of expanding access to care.
Resource Challenges
At the same time, The Abaco Islands face significant gaps in mental health services. There are no psychologists or psychiatrists working in the island’s community health centers. While some doctors and nurses have received training to help address mental health concerns, resources remain limited. Guidance counselors are also scarce, with some supporting students across three or four schools.
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the Global Institute teams worked with faith-based and community organizations, where pastors often became the primary source of support for children in crisis. This year, that collaboration expanded to include the Ministry of Education and its network of 20 schools. Still, counselors and nurses report being stretched thin, often addressing immediate needs without the benefit of specialized mental health professionals.
Two psychologists from the Miller School’s Mailman Center for Child Development supported the mini-conference, which featured a keynote presentation on the connections between mind and body in youth mental well-being, highlighting how emotional well-being, physical health and stress are deeply interconnected.
The Many Factors Contributing to Mental Health
The program included one student and one expert panel. During the student panel, young people spoke openly about youth leadership, peer support and the role students can play in promoting better mental well-being within their schools and communities. The expert panel discussions also addressed the links between lifestyle, mental health and overall well-being.
“Although participants acknowledged that cultural factors in The Bahamas may inhibit discussions about mental health challenges, everyone seemed motivated to challenge these factors and create new values promoting mental wellness,” said Alan Dalamater, Ph.D., a psychologist and professor of pediatrics at the Miller School, who attended the event.
The panels were followed by workshops that brought together students from different schools to discuss shared challenges. Students actively engaged in the conference by reporting back on the workshop discussions, sharing insights, priorities and proposed solutions with the larger group.
“Seeing how they connected on deep levels was one of the key highlights,” said Bertrand Farmer. “Schools on the island are small and students don’t often have opportunities to interact with peers from other schools. We wanted to offer this space and create that sense of bonding.”
Ultimately, the conference reinforced a broader message: youth mental health is a universal issue.
“A young person in the U.S., in any developed country, or anywhere in the world has the same needs,” Bertrand Farmer said. “We have to find ways to bring these services to countries facing climate-related disasters and other crises, because these children are the future of their communities.”
Tags: Didi Bertrand Farmer, Dr. Alan Dalamater, Dr. Elizabeth Pulgarón, Global Institute for Community Health and Development, Hurricane Dorian, Mailman Center for Child Development, mental health