IN wake of the tragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Mark Constantine, has urged Guyanese to manage their grief and emotions in a way that promotes healing rather than causing further pain.
Dr Constantine , the Head of Psychological Services at the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Unit, emphasised that while it is natural for human beings to feel hurt, angry and frustrated after the loss of a loved one, it is important to manage these emotions carefully.
Adrianna’s body was discovered on April 24 in the pool of the Double Day Hotel, East Bank Essequibo, hours after she was first reported missing.

Multiple searches were conducted before her body mysteriously surfaced, sparking national outrage, protests and urgent demands for justice.
However, according to Dr Constantine, reacting violently or destructively, he noted, will not bring about peaceful solutions or true justice.

“This is a sad situation for all of us in Guyana. While we share our condolences with the parents and loved ones, this is beyond them now. This is about a country that is feeling hurt, sad, and angry about the situation, but we also need to understand that when someone loses a loved one or something that is close and dear to them, all those emotions are normal/natural; it is what makes us human.

“However, grieving is a process, and while anger is a part of that process, we must understand that while anger is a primary human emotion and we have the right to express our emotions, we have to also manage it properly so that it does not lead us in a direction that will not be helpful or useful to anyone in any way,” Dr Constantine explained.

The Senior Clinical Psychologist acknowledged the widespread sorrow, frustration, and tension that have gripped the nation in the aftermath of Adrianna’s passing.
He said that it is understandable for people to want to express their grief and seek answers, but he cautioned that it must be done thoughtfully and responsibly.
Recognising the profound emotions currently taking hold across the country, Dr Constantine stressed that while people may mean well when sharing their thoughts and feelings — particularly on social media platforms — it is important to remain vigilant.

Not every voice or opinion comes from a place of genuine concern, and not all information shared is meant to promote peace or healing.
He noted, “While it is important and necessary for parents and loved ones and people who genuinely care for them during their time of loss, it is equally important, if not more, for us to be careful about who we are listening to.

“Listening to the wrong voices can also prolong the grieving process and even ignite more pain and more hurt instead of adding peace and calm to the situation.”
Dr Constantine urged individuals to stay objective during this difficult time and to be cautious about the sources of information they consume and share.

Misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric, he warned, can deepen wounds and create additional divisions within communities already struggling to cope with tragedy.

PLAN AND MANAGE GRIEF

Offering advice on navigating grief, Dr. Constantine introduced what he referred to as the “three Cs of grieving,” a structured approach aimed at helping individuals manage their emotions constructively.
According to him, “The first C is to choose objectively what and who we listen to and who we allow around us during our vulnerable time of grieving. The second C is to connect to the right sources and the right support system that can be genuine in your effort to you as an individual. And the last C is to communicate.

“It is okay for you to communicate your feelings and frustration, but the key is for us to do it in a manner that is not going to cause grief to others in return.”
Dr Constantine reiterated that expressing emotions is healthy and necessary, but it should be done in a way that uplifts and supports healing rather than spreading further harm.

He appealed to Guyanese to grieve openly and to express their frustrations when necessary, but warned that doing so with violence or hatred would only deepen the national sorrow.
Finally, Dr Constantine encouraged all Guyanese to show mutual respect and unity during these trying times.

He called on citizens to transcend racial and political divisions, exercise patience, and allow Adrianna’s death to become a moment of collective solidarity, not division.
According to the doctor, how the nation chooses to respond to this tragedy will define its strength and compassion moving forward.

Importantly, Dr Constantine reminded persons struggling with grief, anxiety, or emotional trauma that support is available.
“The Mental Health Unit, located at Lot 252 Quamina Street, Georgetown, provides psychological counselling and operates an alcohol and substance misuse clinic. If you need assistance, feel free to contact them at 225-0804 or 226-1416,” he said.

Against this backdrop, Dr Constantine’s said Guyanese must channel their grief into actions that build peace, honour Adrianna’s memory, and strengthen the nation’s fabric — not tear it apart.