YOUTHS joined hands with members of the Central Dharmic Naujawan of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Society (GHDS) to create an art mural on a segment of the Kitty seawall, aimed at raising awareness of mental health in Guyana.

Called “Painting with a purpose!”, the youths assembled at 15:00 rs on Sunday and left their message for all persons living with mental illness.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Chairman of the Dharmic Naujawan Kumar Kissoon, said the youth arm of the GHDS has worked on different social issues such as suicide, domestic violence and alcohol abuse.

“This year, however, we’re focusing a little bit more on mental health, because you find in this country, a lot of people are generally depressed and don’t know where to seek help or what to do,” Kissoon said.

In the recent past, statistics compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) illustrated that Guyana had the alarming suicide rate of 44.2 deaths per 100,000 people.

Further, it was detailed that suicide was the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-44 and the second leading cause of death among the 20-24 age group.

In observance of World Suicide Day, 2017, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, told the Guyana Chronicle that awareness and sensitisation about mental health are critical in the fight against suicide.

As such, the mural created on Sunday came as a means of strengthening the efforts being fostered nationally to raise awareness on mental health issues.

“Our message today is to spread hope to anyone who feels they need help,” Kissoon said.

Other efforts to raise awareness on mental health by the youth arm of the Sabha will take the form of debates and discussions, the chairman said.