–courtesy local NGO, the Guyana Foundation

AS part of its mental health programme launched earlier this year, the Guyana Foundation is hosting Ms. Serena Coultress, a researcher from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, who will be conducting research into the local suicide epidemic which is reported to have reached crisis proportions.The findings of her research will be used for a Master’s in Global Health programme at Maastricht University, and will shape and inform upcoming mental health projects conducted by the Guyana Foundation. Additionally, the findings of the research would be made available to local stakeholders in the mental health sector.

For the duration of her stay, Ms. Coultress will be meeting and conducting interviews with mental health professionals, social workers, representatives of local non-governmental organisations, religious leaders, and members of the community who have been affected by the social issue.

The young enthusiast commented that “mental health is a topic I feel passionately about, so when I became aware of the high levels of suicide in Guyana, I was compelled to travel here. I was fortunate to make contact with the Guyana Foundation, who are not only hosting me, but will no doubt make good use of the findings.

“Ultimately, I hope my research will help the community to understand the underlying factors behind the high suicide prevalence in Guyana.”
Managing Director of the Guyana Foundation, Mr. Anthony Autar, expressed appreciation and delight at the work the researcher has embarked upon.

Autar told the media that findings of the research will help fill an existing information gap in Guyana about suicide, and although the suicide rate in Guyana is among the highest in the world, there is little to no up-to-date research, conducted in accordance with internationally-accepted research standards, about the underlying factors driving so many of our people – young and old – to end their lives in such great numbers.

He posited that interventions to tackle the suicide epidemic in Guyana have not been as effective as expected.

“We hope that the information gathered from this research study will give us insight that will shape and inform initiatives to stop the senseless loss of lives to suicide. The Guyana Foundation is grateful that Ms. Coultress has reached out to us, and has travelled so far from her home country to Guyana to conduct this research. We are delighted to host her, and look forward to the findings of her study”, he said.

Autar said that anyone wishing to participate in the research study may so request by contacting telephone # 225-4414, or 693-6825.

(By Ravin Singh)