• Survey Reveals Alarming Trends in Obesity, Substance Use, and Mental Health

By Tynia Brown

Journal Staff Writer

Poor physical health, rising substance abuse, and mental health challenges with suicide attempts and thoughts of suicide among adolescents in The Bahamas has raised major concerns for health officials.

 The Ministry of Health and Wellness on Wednesday released the 2025 Global School Health Survey (GSHS), revealing deeply troubling trends affecting Bahamian teens aged 13 to 18. The national study surveyed over 2,200 students across 35 schools and eight islands.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville called for urgent multi-sector action, citing the report’s “sobering truth” about the realities facing the country’s youth. “The findings are more than just data,” he said. “They’re lives are at risk, there are silent struggles, and calls for help we cannot afford to ignore.”

Among the most disturbing statistics, Obesity among teens has tripled, with two in five now above a healthy weight.  Binge drinking has increased sixfold, with 74 percent of teens having tried alcohol.  Drug use is rising sharply, with lifetime cocaine use climbing from one percent in 1998 to 12 percent in 2023.  Additionally, mental health indicators have worsened dramatically, including a tripling in self-harm and a threefold rise in teens who seriously considered suicide.

Dr. Pearl McMillan, Chief Medical Officer, highlighted that 67 percent of key health indicators have declined, with only 15 percent improving. “This report must raise concern for every parent, teacher, pastor, and policymaker,” she warned.

Encouragingly, the data showed fewer teens are engaging in early sexual activity, though risky behaviours like unprotected sex persist. Dr. Eldonna Boussaint, PAHO/WHO representative, noted that The Bahamas’ results are part of a broader regional trend and emphasized the need for youth-centered policies and health programs.

The report also flagged a lack of parental engagement and emotional connection. While 60 percent of teens live with a father figure, many reported infrequent communication and supervision. Only 23 percent reported having someone they could confide in about their personal struggles.

Local Psychologist Dr. David Allen says the rise in mental health struggles among Bahamian teens is deeply tied to unresolved trauma and a lack of emotional support, particularly when it comes to grief.

“We have three types of suicide,” Dr. Allen explained. “Suicidal thoughts or ideation the majority are from young women. Suicidal attempts again, mostly young women. But completed suicides are mostly men, because men use more lethal methods.”

He says trauma from abuse, financial loss, or the death of a loved one, creates deep emotional wounds that many teens don’t have the tools or support to process.

“Life is filled with woundedness… and those hurts have to be grieved,” he said. “The sad thing is, many people don’t have the security or support to do proper grieving.”

Allen explains that if young people are unable to grieve properly, their pain can evolve into dangerous emotions.

“The anger becomes resentment. Resentment becomes bitterness. The bitterness becomes shame self-hatred aimed at me,” he said. “Suicide is anger at the self acting out, and murder is anger at someone else. Suicide and murder are blood brothers.”

Through his “family programs” across Nassau, Allen offers group support and grief counseling to teens and adults alike.

“Our whole work is teaching people to grieve. If you can’t grieve, you can’t leave,” he said. “Our job is to keep people on the sadness pole of grief, not let them fall into anger and shame.”

He says more Bahamian men, in particular, are now seeking help.

“The men have been asking for a safe place to talk about their feelings,” Dr. Allen added, “it’s really important now to give men a voice to talk about what they’re going through.”

Health officials also confirmed links between trauma from events like Hurricane Dorian and declining teen mental health. “We’ve seen children panic during storms and hide under desks; this is unresolved trauma,” said Dr. Darville.

The Ministry of Health has announced plans to create a National Alcohol Policy, strengthen enforcement of existing liquor laws, and scale up mental health support in schools. A fourth cycle of the GSHS is planned for 2028–2029 to monitor progress.

Dr. Cherita Moxey, who led the survey team, urged researchers and community leaders to build on the findings. “This data is a springboard, not just for conversation but for action,” she said.