Govt stresses need for advanced mental health care

World Suicide Prevention Day

…health workers to be trained at primary level

Guyana joined the world on Thursday in celebrating Suicide Prevention Day under the theme “Working together to prevent suicide.”
The Health Ministry commemorated the day by assuring the public that Government would not cease its efforts to improve services in mental health and, more importantly, in reducing suicide.
In a press release, the Ministry noted there is need for social workers at all health centres throughout the respective geographical areas, implementing ‘multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral interventions’ to promote healthy outcomes.
In this light, the Ministry stressed how critical it is to build capacity to address mental health care.
“We need to continually build capacity for mental health care, while at the same time strengthen our human resources for mental health services. In this regard, health care workers will be trained at the primary level, to ensure early detection of anyone showing suicidal inclinations. We will work to provide training of more children and adolescent medical personnel to guarantee the healthy and resilient transition of our young people into adulthood, so that they can realise their full potential in their lifetime,” the Ministry noted.
Locally, many cases of suicide are related to alcohol and other substance abuse. It is with this trend in mind that Government plans to enhance our capacity for treatment and care, as well as to reintegrate persons who have recovered back into communities.
With the COVID-19 pandemic and the concomitant increase in stressors, there could easily be an upsurge in mental illness. Hence the need for social workers in communities is even more important at this time, the statement declared.
The statement also expresses the need for businesses dealing with pesticides and other toxic chemicals to play their rightful role, as well as intentions on the legislative side to implement laws.
“In collaboration with the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, we will implement laws and regulations governing the acquisition, storage, use and disposal of these substances, as well as move to acquire the appropriate antidotes. In the fight against suicide, everyone everywhere can contribute. It is especially important to involve Police, fire-fighters and other first responders, teachers, media professionals, religious leaders, community leaders, and other non-medical persons for faster detection of vulnerable persons in our communities.”
In many cases, early detection is key to preventing an unfavourable outcome. Persons who have witnessed noticeable behaviours in family members or friends are asked to offer assistance in the form of a mental health provider such as a physician, mental health counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
The Ministry said support of the media in reporting suicides according to the guidelines is also especially important to suicide prevention.
“Unnecessary and frequent repetition of such stories, however, should be avoided, as it could reinforce behaviour that vulnerable persons can replicate and cause harm to themselves. Employers also play an important role in reducing stress and recognising distress and suicidal behaviour.”
It underscored the importance of companies to enable health and safety policies that promote a mentally healthy workforce. Through these mechanisms, employers should consult with their employees in order to identify the causes of job stress, and have policies and interventions in place to address them.
Along with that, authorities are working to update its antiquated legislation and end the social stigma and discrimination against those affected by providing adequate facilities and services.