THE Ministry of Public Health is making strides in reducing stigma and discrimination as well as the harmful effects associated with mental health, since Guyana continues to be seriously affected by various mental health issues, especially those related to suicide.

Approximately 112, 000 – 150, 000 citizens which is 15-20 per cent of the population are affected by mental health. This was related to the medical practitioners who were graduating from a four day mental health training on Wednesday, in Linden.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings in addressing the graduates, told them that the training has equipped them with the skills needed to provide clinical interventions for effective treatment in Region 10 and the country at large. “I want to exhort you today, to combine the knowledge and skills you have gained to better serve the people around you, that need your expertise and talents, to combat stress and trauma associated with mental illness, be committed to reducing the harmful effects of mental illnesses in Guyana.”

She encouraged them to display qualities such as patience, concern, tolerance and confidentiality when dealing with mental health. Cummings highlighted the strides made by the ministry in effectively managing mental health issues, as she alluded to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation now being able to accommodate walk-in patients. “The training you received will place you in an excellent position to do your part in contributing to the overall, national effort of comprehensively and competently addressing mental health issues in Guyana,” she said.

Regional Health Officer, Dr. Pansy Armstrong encouraged the graduates to make full use of their training as it will be valuable to the community and to also get involved in community sensitisation programmes.

This is the second batch of Linden medical practitioners in the form of doctors, nurses and medics that were trained in mental health. The first training was done in 2017. Armstrong noted that the aim is to have similar programmes done twice a year, until all medical practitioners are trained since mental health is becoming a big issue in the region.

Over the last four days, the graduates were trained to effectively screen, recognise and manage conditions that contribute to mental health disorders. They were also trained how to recognise and manage depression; the leading cause of suicide. Training in how to deal with stigma and discrimination, epilepsy, child and adolescent mental health disorders and alcohol and substance abuse disorders was also completed.