UG begins Psychology programme
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, launches UG's psychology programme alongside Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, UNICEF Resident Representative, Sylvie Fouet and other members of the university. ( Photo by Delano Williams)
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, launches UG's psychology programme alongside Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Ivelaw Griffith, UNICEF Resident Representative, Sylvie Fouet and other members of the university. ( Photo by Delano Williams)

– to boost mental health services

THE University of Guyana (UG) launched its psychology programme on Monday, aiming to boost the mental health services offered locally.

Through this programme, four streams of training will be offered, beginning in 2018. The Certificate and Diploma in General Psychology will be offered from January, the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in September and the Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from June.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings reminded the gathering at UG’s Education Lecture Theatre for the launch about the national impetus being placed on promoting good mental health.
She further noted the number of interventions being made, including the establishment of a mental health unit within the Ministry.

According to her, UG has shown its “astute leadership” with the advent of these rafts of programmes to train and qualify persons to address critical issues underpinning mental health in Guyana.

“UG embarking on the psychology programme will surely be an asset in the drive to address mental illness in Guyana,” Dr. Cummings said.

Meanwhile, President of the Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Associations (CANPA), Omowale Marshall, stressed that the initiation of these programmes will not only be an asset but in fact is critical.

He explained that while Guyana’s National Psychological Association is part of the CANPA, this country is the only one where people are able to carry the designation of “psychologist” without a Master’s Degree.
Marshall observed also that in many countries, a doctorate and additional training is required.

Moreover, he noted that Guyana has the greatest epidemiological demand for psychologists. Therefore the focus will be on building practitioners at the Master’s level.

UNICEF Resident Representative, Sylvie Foulet said that this initiative was “very much aligned” with the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) and studies in these areas would extend beyond mental health onto sexual health and even the prevention of violence. Foulet also underscored UNICEF’s support behind these initiatives.

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