THE Guyana Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Medical Sciences of Ciego De Avila, Cuba to address mental health issues here, a statement from the Foundation said Monday.

According to the statement, the five-year MoU signed on October 11, 2017 paves the way for the transfer of expertise and information to address social issues in Guyana.

Persons will be selected from key villages across Region Two to access training in Cuba to become professional counsellors. Workshops and visits by Cuban professionals are also expected.

Founder of the Guyana Foundation, Supriya Singh Bodden, described the signing of the MoU as a historic occasion and expressed gratitude to those who aided in the successful negotiations.

“I have spent the last few days in Cuba among people that have now become an extended family to us, such love, such willingness to help. We are extremely grateful. The social ills, suicide, domestic abuse, child abuse, alcohol addiction are clearly out of control in Guyana. We have much to learn from Cuba, to study the way they have been able to provide easily accessed support to citizens at all levels, averting the problems and the fatalities we face. We will make good use of this opportunity we have been given to collaborate with the University of Ciego De Avila,” said Singh-Bodden.

Two years ago, the Guyana Foundation reached out to the University of Medical Sciences of Ciego De Avila, Cuba requesting guidance and assistance in addressing mental health issues here and in particular, the work of the Guyana Foundation’s Sunrise Centre.

In response, a conference was convened by the university last year bringing its best specialists in the areas of suicide, domestic abuse, addiction and child abuse.

“The Guyana Foundation participated and gained much from this encounter,” the statement said.

Since last year’s conference, Singh-Bodden has been placed on the organising committee for the next International Conference to be convened in Cuba, early next year.

Mental health continues to be of major concern to governments globally and the conference brings together specialists in the field, to work together on fighting the scourge.