By Vanessa Cort
IN this new year, it is important that we foster and continue the dialogue on mental health, with a view to breaking the stigma that prevents so many from seeking help.

While in recent years greater attention has certainly been paid to those with mental health challenges, we are still a long way from openly admitting our problems, recognising these issues when we see them and taking the necessary steps to get treatment.

Particularly in this part of the world, we are still guilty of labelling anyone showing signs of mental illness as ‘mad.’ Hence, we are reluctant to admit to any mental health issue we may experience or notice in a family member or friend, and so we take no action.

We often use derogatory language even when we do observe someone displaying uncharacteristic or odd behaviour, commenting ‘he head ain good,’ or something wrong wid he.’ We show little empathy, preferring to avoid that person, or in the case of a family member, hide them away from the public.

Our very attitude to mental health in fact causes us to try to hide or ignore any symptoms we may detect in ourselves for fear of being seen as insane or ‘running mad,’ but much of our discomfort around the topic stems from a lack of understanding of the causes and this in turn fuels our intolerance of those who may be sufferers.

We also tend to fear what we do not know, so clearly we need to learn as much as we can about mental health in order to promote a more relaxed atmosphere where people can feel free to talk about their issues and even offer a helping hand to others who may have similar challenges.

An interesting move, taken by the Ministry of Health in Guyana to address the mental health of school students, was the ‘Let’s Talk Green Bench’ initiative, which began last year. Launched by the Adolescent Health Unit to mark World Health Day, 25 benches were installed at an equal number of schools across the country.

Equipped with a bar code that students can scan and get information on mental health, these benches are intended as safe spaces where students can sit and talk about their problems without feeling stigmatised.

The colour green was chosen symbolically as a go-ahead to students to discuss their issues, while also signalling moving forward on mental health awareness. The initiative is also reflective of the global shift towards handling mental health at the level of the community, in keeping with the broad policy of primary health care.

In a pertinent comment at the time of launching, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, noted that if people feel stigmatised they will neither seek assistance nor access services available to them. The minister acknowledged that stigma and discrimination are the major barriers faced by those with mental health issues.

In this new year, 2024, our goal as a nation should definitely be focused on destigmatising mental health and promoting conversation and education on the topic.

As actress, Glenn Close, remarked, “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor and more unashamed conversation.” And Kerry Washington, of television series, Scandal, had this to say: “I think it’s really important to take the stigma away from mental health. My brain and heart are really important to me. I don’t know why I wouldn’t seek help to have those things be as healthy as my teeth.”