Georgetown: The National Psychiatric Hospital will be transformed into a complex, with three components – one for the elderly, the second for addicts and the third for people with psychiatric problems and need care. This is to reduce over-crowding at the institution. This was told to health personnel at Herdmanston Lodge on Thursday at another forum held to address mental health.
Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said that by the end of 2014 the discussions on the Mental Health Strategic Plan will begin to show progress and an all inclusive document made available.
The minister said he hopes discussions will be expanded to other locations such as Berbice and Essequibo and on television as well. A draft plan is to be presented in early December for endorsement and funding.
In the past Guyana was limited to little or no psychiatrists, now there are five psychiatrists. Further, mental health along with Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) will be dealt with in specialised units in the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer pointed out the difficulties of treating the mentally ill. He told the gathering that mental health is everyone’s business as it can affect persons of any age, race or class.
Mental health is the most common disabling condition globally, and is even sometimes determined and affected by the way a child is brought up, Dr Persaud noted.
He pointed out that there “needs to be a place where we can refer mentally ill persons, persons who are suffering from tobacco and other addictions.” He advised that persons get adequate sleep to ensure proper mental health.
Dr. Bhiro Harry psychiatrist attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation said suicide is a problem all over the world.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has deemed Guyana the suicide capital of the world, but Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, said that the way in which the number suicide deaths is calculated by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and WHO, does not accurately reflect what is recorded by the Guyana Police Force and the Health Ministry.
Dr. Harry said the most common method of suicide is ingestion of poisonous substance, followed by hanging.
Regions 6, 4, 3, and 2 to be followed by region 5 are the most affected. Harry stated that a great majority of the persons who commit suicide are of Indo-Guyanese descent. “For every 10, 25 to 30 attempts, one person dies. Females attempt to commit suicide much more than males and 50% of the persons who commit suicide are between 12 and 25 years old. Surprisingly, Pentecostals and Hindus are at par in suicide rate when religions were looked at,” Dr. Harry explained.
The mental health strategic plan is being worked on to prevent suicide in Guyana. The plan is a very detailed one and its goals were recommended by the WHO.
“We are hoping to have a mental health institute for training doctors/nurses to become qualified in order to satisfy the needs of our people. We are having two additional psychiatrists coming to Guyana; one is expected to be placed at Suddie Essequibo Coast and the other at the National Psychiatric Institution,” Dr. Harry said.
Special psychiatric services for children and elderly will be put in place, he added.
Minister Ramsaran said the engagement of Hindu and Muslim organisations in fighting suicide is being looked at. The minister urged everyone to get involved and take a stand against the problems in mental health Guyana faces at present.
The Ministries of Agriculture, Education and Human Services are expected to be on board the programme.
You must be logged in to post a comment.