Left to right: Dr. Phillip Swann, Acting Chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities; Asline Blanc, Founder and Chairwoman of Mental Health Bahamas; Aldrin Sears, Co-founder and Vice Chairman of Mental Health Bahamas and Dr. The Hon. Duane E.L. Sands, M.P Minister of Health.
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Heal the mind. Heal the people. Heal the world
Nassau, Bahamas - On October 10, 2019, at Hillside House, Mental Health Bahamas (MHB) will partner with ‘FIVE’, an art exhibition created by Artistic Soul Productions Studio (ASPS), in an effort to bring infinite hope and healing to the community while promoting mental health awareness as well as the eradication of child abuse.
Asline Blanc, Founder and Chairwoman of the Mental Health Bahamas Organization (MHB) - which was founded in an effort to address the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness, says that this partnership should encourage the importance of discussing the topic of mental health and forms of abuse, which statistics show, are directly connected.
Paintings of the FIVE missing boys by Matthew Wildgoose. These pieces were commissioned in part by The Grand Bahama Port Authority and ASPS, and presented to the families.
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“Through partnerships with other organizations, projects such as ‘FIVE’, education and awareness, Mental Health Bahamas Organization (MHB) is in the process of creating safe spaces to de-stigmatize conversations on mental illness regardless of race, nationality, religion, economic status or culture; and we encourage the community to attend the art exhibition to learn more.” says Blanc.
The art exhibition, which takes place on Mental Health Awareness Day at 7pm on Thursday, October 10th at Hillside House, is an extension of the first phase of ‘FIVE’; the launch of the concept and movement regarding the feature length film “FIVE: The Documentary” - a story which details the five boys that went missing in Grand Bahama in 2003. Although still in pre-production, the project which is being produced by Aryana Joy Roberts, proprietor of Artistic Soul Productions Studio (ASPS), not only tackles the dark time in 2003 that gripped the nation, held families hostage and baffled the authorities, but also depicts dealing with loss, healing, hope, child abuse and mental health issues.
Family of Mackinson Colas (deceased)
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Blanc, who is excited to partner with Roberts, believes that the topic of Mental Health is one that many find to be taboo and is very difficult to discuss. “There are many people suffering and don't know who to call or even how to talk to someone. The goal of MHB is to connect qualified persons on the mental health topic
to address the public, as well as to find resources, similar to art, that will bridge the gap. I believe that if more of us come together to educate the society and break the stigma to create healthier conversations we would have a stronger Bahamas. This is an issue that does not usually get the attention that is needed, and is more important now, post traumatic Hurricane Dorian”.
Event attendee taking part in the community painting at the Launch of FIVE held at Pelican Bay, on May 5th 2019.
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Mental Health Bahamas is currently doing a lot of groundwork creating initiatives, partnering with similar organizations, and going shelter to shelter and to various neighborhoods - helping people. “We have persons reaching out, requesting to speak to counselors or therapists, so, through our network, we have been providing access to qualified doctors in different areas. We are working tirelessly to help de-stigmatize mental illness in the Bahamas and hope to remain active in our communities - encouraging hope and healing,” says Blanc.
Hope and Healing is also the theme for ‘FIVE’ - the art exhibition which is free to attend, and features the works of Antonius Roberts, Chantal Bethel, Claudette Dean, Paula Boyd Farrington, Sheldon Saint, Matthew Wildgoose, Caroline Anderson, Laurie Tuchel, Del Foxton, Greg Farrington & Marina Gottlieb Sarles. Guests will be treated to light food and beverage.
Family of the Five missing boys standing with veteran educator, Cecil Thompson. Left to right: Volvick Louis (step-father of Mackinson), Claudette Colas Louis (mother of Mackinson), Bridgette Grant (Mother of Jake), Cecil Thompson, Myrtha Betrand (Mother of Junior), Marilyn Davis (Grandmother of Deangelo), Charline Smith (mother of Desmond) and Silver Smith (Step-father of Desmond).
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Part proceeds of all artwork sold, will not only go towards the making of the film, but also towards the rebuilding of the Grand Bahama Children’s home, which was damaged by Hurricane Dorian.
For more information, visit www.fivethedoc.com
ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH BAHAMAS (MHB) & FOUNDER ASLINE BLANC:
After recently suffering the loss of her father prior to experiencing the catastrophic hurricane Dorian, Asline recalls “a dark time”, where she learned the importance of protecting one’s mental health. She also began noticing the consistent negative behaviors of others, how food affects mental and overall health and much more. It was during her father's illness that she became aware of the need, and so founded Mental Health Bahamas, which is fully supported by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, and other private entities.
Given the many families left mentally traumatized post Hurricane Dorian, MHB has launched an initiative called #SupportaFamily to bring relief and aid to those families affected.
For more information on Mental Health Bahamas and how you can #SupportaFamily please contact info@mentalhealthbahamas.org
