Let’s Talk Green Bench launched to destigmatise mental health 

In commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2023 on Tuesday, the Health Ministry’s Adolescent Health Unit launched the Let’s Talk Green Bench initiative at the North Georgetown Secondary School to promote the importance of maintaining mental health and well-being.
This initiative is a result of collaboration between the Health and Education Ministries, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and Desert Flower Guyana. By installing 25 benches at 25 schools across Guyana, the Let’s Talk Green Bench programme aims to provide a safe space for students to have conversation on issues that are affecting them, without feelings of stigma or discrimination.
Deputy Representative of UNICEF Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar, explained that the colour green is used to raise awareness and reduce mental health stigma by encouraging students to talk openly about issues affecting them. Students can also scan the barcode on the benches to access further information on mental health.
Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, noting that stigma surrounding mental health continues to be a significant challenge, emphasised the need for greater awareness to counteract this.
“If people feel that they are being stigmatised, they won’t want to seek assistance; and if they’ll be discriminated against, they won’t access the services being offered. So, we need to destigmatise and ensure people don’t feel discrimination, so that we can offer services to people who need them,” Dr Anthony said.
He noted that changes within the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act seek to improve the way mental health is addressed in the country, as more attention is placed on the issue, leading to better diagnoses and treatment for persons with mental health conditions.
In moves to fight against the high rate of suicide in the country, the National Assembly last November passed the Suicide Prevention Act 2022, in which the Government enacted the decriminalisation of suicide. And last August, the National Assembly passed the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act 2022, which protects, promotes and fulfils the rights of those persons during the delivery of mental health care.
In May, the Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Presidential Youth Advisory Council (PYAC), had further launched the National Mental Health Website to better document and respond to the needs of individuals across the country who seek mental health services.
During Tuesday’s launch, PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. Luis Codina highlighted that psychiatric hospitals around the world are closing due to mental health issues being treated at the community level.
Also in attendance at the launching ceremony were Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr Ertensia Hamilton; Coordinator of the Adolescent Health Unit, Cilandell Glen; Youth and Adolescent Development Officer attached to UNICEF Guyana and Suriname, Jewel Crosse; Deputy Head Teacher (ag) Michele Jordan; Chief Welfare Officer Vickram Mohabir; Health and Family Life Education Coordinator attached to Education Ministry, Carol Benn; and Guidance and Counselling Officer Onika Bishop.