In the heart of the British Virgin Islands, a quiet yet powerful movement is growing—one founded on compassion, lived experience, and the belief that no mother should suffer in silence. The British Virgin Islands Maternal Mental Health Initiative (BVIMMHI), established in April 2024 by Mrs. Sade Fonseca-Smith, emerged from a deeply personal journey. After experiencing firsthand the lack of maternal mental health support, Fonseca-Smith set out to create the very resource she once needed.
Today, BVIMMHI is a nonprofit organisation led by a collective of mothers, healthcare professionals, mental health advocates, and community members who are dedicated to enhancing maternal mental wellness. Their shared mission is to ensure that every mother in the BVI feels seen, heard, and supported—before, during, and after pregnancy.
At the heart of BVIMMHI is a simple but powerful philosophy: Happy Mommy, Happy Baby. This motto reflects the organisation’s deep understanding that a mother’s mental health directly impacts her child, her family, and, by extension, society as a whole. When mothers thrive, communities thrive.
Too often, mothers in the BVI and similar communities face Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)—a range of mental health conditions, including postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, and trauma-related disorders. These can begin during pregnancy or after childbirth and are frequently triggered by hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies, stress, trauma, and lack of support. Despite their prevalence, these issues are commonly dismissed or misunderstood, particularly in Caribbean and Black communities where stigma remains strong.
BVIMMHI was founded to break this silence. It aims to raise awareness, offer direct support, and advocate for systemic change. Through partnerships with local organisations, healthcare providers, and media platforms, the initiative is working to destigmatise maternal mental health and ensure mothers have access to the resources they need.
In May 2025, the organisation led its first “Paint the Town Green” campaign to honour World Maternal Mental Health Day. Community members were encouraged to wear green—the colour for maternal mental health awareness—to decorate spaces and share messages of solidarity across social media. With visual displays, digital billboards, and green t-shirt campaigns, the initiative brought maternal mental health into public focus, fostering a sense of unity and hope.
Looking ahead, BVIMMHI plans to expand its outreach, provide training for healthcare professionals, and establish a comprehensive referral network that includes OB-GYNs, doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, nutritionists, yoga instructors, and other relevant professionals. The organisation also aims to ensure that no mother leaves the hospital without the feminine care items she needs to recover, both physically and emotionally. This will be achieved through partnerships with BVI Health Services Authority and local businesses to provide care packages, as well as through educational programs to equip mothers with the knowledge and resources they need for postpartum recovery.
BVIMMHI invites individuals, businesses, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to join in its mission. Whether through donating essential products, offering services, or spreading awareness, everyone has a role to play in supporting maternal mental health. Your involvement can make a significant impact and empower you to be part of the solution.
This is more than a nonprofit. It is a movement to break the silence, bridge the gap, and build a culture of care. Because when mothers are supported, the entire community is stronger.
To learn more or to contribute, contact (284) 547-5441.
