ON October 10, 2023, Guyana joined the global community to commemorate World Mental Health Day, with a resolute commitment to raising awareness about mental health issues and destigmatizing mental illnesses.

This year’s theme, “Mental Health is a Universal Right,” underscores the necessity of fostering a compassionate and empathetic society.
In a message, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony said in recent years Guyana has made notable strides in the field of mental health, with Parliament enacting two progressive pieces of mental health legislations aimed at safeguarding, caring for, and treating individuals with mental illnesses through a human-rights framework.
He explained that the antiquated Mental Hospital Ordinance of 1930 has been supplanted by the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Legislation, while the Suicide Prevention Legislation effectively decriminalized suicide in Guyana.

These new laws, Minister Anthony noted, seek to supplant the institutionalization of patients with a more community-based psychiatry approach, decentralizing psychiatric services to different regions.

Further, he explained that the introduction of Tele-Psychiatry Services in specific communities is another key development. The Mental Health Unit within the Ministry of Health is actively engaged in providing training to doctors and nurses, equipping them with the requisite skills for early diagnoses and management of mental health illnesses through the WHO Mental Health Gap (mhGap) programme.

Moreover, he underscored that the Ministry of Health is set to collaborate with various stakeholders to promote mental health awareness and public education. The imminent launch of a new national strategic plan for mental health is expected to chart their course for the next five years.

A collaborative effort with the Ministry of Education, PAHO, and UNICEF, the “Friendship Bench” programme is introduced to support the mental health of school students. This initiative will provide counselling and guidance to young people who need a listening ear. It will initially be piloted in 25 schools across Guyana.

During the launch of this programme, Minister Frank Anthony emphasized the critical role of mental health in overall well-being. He underlined the collective responsibility to foster an environment where individuals can seek help without fear of discrimination or judgment. World Mental Health Day stands as a poignant reminder of the commitment to this cause.
The call is for everyone to actively participate in the various activities and initiatives organized in celebration of World Mental Health Day. By uniting and creating a supportive community, significant progress can be made in promoting mental health and overall well-being in Guyana.

For more information on World Mental Health Day activities in Guyana or to get involved, please contact the Mental Health Unit at 225 0804 or the Psychiatric Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) at 227-8241/227-8245.