UNICEF Guyana, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Ministry of Health, on Wednesday, launched a two-day training programme focused on School Mental Health Literacy.
This initiative marks a significant stride towards fostering a deeper understanding of psychological health and combatting discrimination and stigma within the school system.
The training aims to equip educators with the knowledge and tools outlined in the mental health literacy handbook, and to introduce them to a comprehensive referral system for suspected cases of mental health concerns.

Dr. Joann Simpson, UNICEF Health Officer, emphasised the critical role of educators in this endeavour. “The overall aim is to create a health system that delivers early intervention and effective support for mental health,” Dr. Simpson stated. “This is why it is critical that teachers/educators are properly equipped to identify cases that demand attention and support. UNICEF is committed to achieving this goal and we will work tirelessly with our partners in this regard.”

The training programme is being led by a distinguished team of experts: Professor Dr. Renato Antunes dos Santos from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and Dr. Esther Ward-English, Senior Lecturer (ag) in Health and Family Life Education at the Cyril Potter College of Education.