Bahamas News
Bahamas using Anger Management Programme in Social Services COVID response
#TheBahamas – May 13, 2020 – The thrust is being led by Dr. Eric Fox, an Anger Management and Temperance Expert and Consultant with the Urban Renewal Commission, who is utilizing various forms of social media and other communication networks to remain “in close contact” with graduates and participants of the Programme, in addition to members of the wider community.
Dr. Fox also serves as Executive Director of Teen Challenge and has performed extensive work in the inner-city communities over the past 32 years.
“Once an individual enters the Anger Management and Temperance Programme, we are connected for life,” Dr. Fox said. “The ability to stay connected is paying tremendous dividends for those persons needing our assistance as a result of some of the fall-out from the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Dr. Fox said while the Government of The Bahamas’ stay at home policy is “an essential and necessary component” in the country’s efforts to stop/limit the community spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic throughout The Bahamas, there are persons who are having difficulty adjusting to being in close quarters over extended periods of time.
“There are persons in our communities who are experiencing challenges in adapting to remaining in close confinement at home for extended periods of time as a result of the essential and necessary curfew and mandatory lockdown periods designed to stop the community spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic, while others are having to contend with the fall-out from reduced work hours, to losing their jobs,” Dr. Fox said.
Dr. Eric Fox, an Anger Management and Temperance Consultant with Urban Renewal, working the phone in order to maintain contact with graduates and participants of Urban’s Anger Management and Temperance Programme, in addition to members of the general public, during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dr. Fox has also offered assistance to spouses, loved ones and family members of the graduates and participants. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)
“Follow-up therefore, is critical and so we have been utilizing all forms of social media and other communication networks as a means of providing follow-up for those persons who have graduated from the programme, those who are participants of the programme, and those persons in the community who may be experiencing anger management and temperance issues as they try to navigate this new situation.
“We have also had a physical presence in the communities, utilizing all of the health and safety protocols established by the Ministry of Health – including the use of protective equipment, in addition to following the protocols relating to physical distancing.”
Dr. Fox said anger is an emotion that everyone has, but that some persons are better able to manage and/or contain their anger than others. Anger, he said, is an indication that there may be some other issues that could be impacting individuals.
“It’s like driving your car and the Check Engine Light appears. The car didn’t shut off, but that Check Engine Light serves as a warning that something is wrong and that the possibility exists that the car can eventually shut down. Anger is similar. It is an indication that there is some deeper stuff going on inside that an individual needs to pay attention to and try to address and resolve before the anger becomes a danger.”
Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell, applauded Dr. Fox, his team, and officials at Urban Renewal for taking proactive approaches to addressing the various needs of the urban communities pre-, and particularly during, COVID-19.
“When you consider the anxiety and, in instances, the frustration stemming from persons who would have been placed on reduced work hours, to others who have completely lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, you would have a greater appreciation for the need to address their psychological needs, for the need to assist persons in remaining calm, for the need to assist persons in managing the various emotions that have come about as a result of the presence of the Pandemic,” Minister Campbell said.
“That is the kind of value Dr. Fox and his Anger Management Programme is offering. It is our hope that more persons with those skills would offer more of those services to the wider community,” Minister Campbell added.
BIS News By Matt Maura
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
-
News1 week agoFacts According to the Turks & Caicos Premier About His Constitutional Amendments
-
News1 week ago80 DAYS. $80 MILLION. – PDM Demands Answers from Government
-
News1 week ago“The Contract is The Problem, Not The Hospitals”
-
News1 week ago
Premier Lays Out Cost of Hospital Dispute
-
News7 days agoPAY FIRST. QUESTION LATER.
-
Education1 week agoDr. Candice Williams Appointed First Vice-President of Regional Higher Education Association
-
Health3 days ago47,459 MEASLES CASES, 44 DEATHS ACROSS AMERICAS
-
News3 days agoELECTRICITY BILL SHOCKER: PELICAN ENERGY WARNED GOV’T