OFFICIALS from the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) met with Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, at the Ministry of Health’s Brickdam Headquarters on Tuesday to discuss ways to improve media reporting on suicide and mental health in Guyana. The PAHO team, led by consultants Tanya Nicole Fernandes and Amiti Varma, included Mr. Daniel Albrecht, PAHO/WHO Representative (acting) in Guyana, and Dr. Rainer Escalada, PAHO’s Advisor on Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention, and Control.

The PAHO team’s visit is aimed at enhancing public awareness around mental health and suicide prevention by fostering responsible and accurate reporting in the media. By developing improved media guidelines and approaches, the Ministry and PAHO hope to create a more supportive and informative environment for mental health discussions, reducing stigma and promoting mental well-being.

The meeting also included key figures from Guyana’s mental health sector, such as Dr. Timothy Morgan, Director of the Mental Health Unit; Dr. Travis Freeman, Head of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit; and Dr. Natasha Sobers, PAHO’s Advisor on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health. Together, the group explored strategies to support journalists and media professionals in covering sensitive mental health topics, encouraging reporting that is both compassionate and informative.

Minister Anthony underscored the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Health, PAHO, and media organisations to ensure the public receives accurate information on mental health issues. Through responsible media practices, he noted, Guyana can make significant strides in suicide prevention and the promotion of mental health across the nation.
This initiative marks another step in Guyana’s ongoing efforts to address mental health concerns and is part of broader national objectives aimed at building a healthier, more informed society.