Mental Health Under Discussion in Georgetown

Mental health care was the focus for a healthcare roundtable event hosted by KPMG Guyana Inc this week. Attended by health leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators, the session explored emerging regional and international trends in transforming the way mental health care is delivered and governed.
The roundtable attendees discussed how mental health challenges are placing increasing strain on health systems worldwide. It was noted that often limited health-system capacity, pervasive stigma, and economic pressures stemming from high living costs and concentrated economies can combine to exacerbate these challenges.

The roundtable participants also discussed the human and economic stakes of not tackling the increase of poor mental wellbeing. Untreated mental illness can reduce life expectancy, increase healthcare use, reduce productivity and strain families and social systems.
Mental healthcare was also on the agenda at the 70th CARPHA Caribbean Annual Health Research Conference. In his address to conference attendees earlier in the week, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali shared the country’s plans to address pervasive public health issues, including mental health, by ensuring early intervention and cross-sector partnerships, starting with interventions in schools.
KPMG Guyana Inc was one of the conference sponsors and took the opportunity to meet many healthcare stakeholders from across the region who were in Georgetown for this event.
KPMG Guyana Inc also launched its mental health service proposition this week, designed to help Governments, healthcare providers, businesses and community organisations strengthen mental healthcare provision, improve access, and deliver operational resilience through innovation.
“Across our network, we see many countries facing different distinctive social and operational challenges that require tailored, practical solutions – there is no one size fits all,” Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, KPMG Islands Group Dr Edward Fitzgerald stated.
Further, Senior Manager, Policy, Sustainability & Healthcare Advisory, KPMG Islands Group, Charlotte Reboul, who co-leads the mental health proposition, stated, “Globally and regionally, the human and economic cost of unmet mental health needs are becoming increasingly apparent: from rising suicide rates to substance misuse to rising anxiety and depression amongst young people. And while the need for support is growing, we also know that between 78 and 90 per cent of people requiring mental health support in the Caribbean currently do not get treatment*.
“We can work alongside policymakers, service providers and innovators to provide practical, implementable solutions that strengthen systems, support communities, and ensure people can access the care they need, when they need it.”
KPMG Guyana’s proposition can support Governments, health Ministries and mental health providers seeking stronger pathways and operational efficiency. Corporate employers in Guyana who are aiming to embed workplace wellbeing and prevention practices which are sustainable and locally relevant can also be served by this new advisory offering.
The new mental health proposition is built around three pillars. The first pillar, policy and strategy support, helps Governments, corporate employers and organisations understand current system gaps and design practical solutions.
A second pillar focuses on care models and patient pathway design, supporting island communities to improve access and outcomes across the full spectrum of mental healthcare.
The third pillar centres on operational excellence for mental healthcare providers, helping services become more sustainable and resilient.
Dr Edward Fitzgerald concludes, “In our other markets, we work alongside clinicians, policymakers and people with lived experience to turn strategy into measurable change – from better access and earlier intervention to more efficient, person-centred services.
“We believe that investing in mental health is not only the right thing to do for individuals and communities, but it also makes strong economic sense for businesses and our wider societies. We believe that well-designed mental health systems reduce pressure on healthcare services, support productivity and deliver measurable long-term returns for society.”