MENTAL health care in Guyana is on the verge of transformation, led by the Ministry of Health’s ambitious and comprehensive initiatives to decentralize and improve mental health support.

Last weekend, a workshop at Cara Lodge marked a significant step forward as journalists from across the country received training on sensitive reporting on mental health and suicide from the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The training highlighted the critical role of the media in fostering understanding, reducing stigma and responsibly informing the public about mental health issues.

At the forefront of this movement, Dr. Timothy Morgan, Director of the Mental Health Unit, outlined a vision for mental health care embedded in the growth of Guyana’s health sector. “Each of the new hospitals will be equipped to deal with mental health cases, integrating mental health into the healthcare infrastructure,” said Dr Morgan, emphasizing a community-based approach. By tailoring mental health services to the distinct social and economic needs of each region, the Ministry aims to remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues and promote accessible, region-specific support systems.

A 3-digit suicide helpline is set to be reinstated soon, providing a lifeline for people who need immediate help. “Our focus is on a holistic, region-specific strategy,” Dr. Morgan explained, adding that “Mental health is not just about treating symptoms; it is about addressing the root causes, from economic pressures to social isolation. We are working across sectors – from the Department of Health to economic and social groups – to ensure that mental health care is a national collaborative effort.”

This focus on inclusion is seen in the Ministry’s pioneering mobile psychiatric clinics, which have enabled access to mental health care in remote communities that previously faced barriers due to geography and financial constraints. “These mobile clinics have changed the game,” said Dr. Morgan, noting the dramatic drop in long-term admissions to psychiatric hospitals. “We bring direct support to those who would otherwise go without care, ensuring that no one is left behind.”

The Ministry’s decentralization efforts are also extending to Guyana’s interior regions, where they are establishing systems that allow residents to receive care close to home. “Moving mental health services from central hospitals to community care is essential,” Dr Morgan said. “This change fosters a supportive environment where individuals can receive mental health care in a familiar and welcoming setting.”

Significant progress has also been made through landmark legislation, including the Suicide Prevention Act and the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act, enacted in 2022. These laws provide a humanistic, rights-centred framework for mental health care in Guyana, establishing a standard for neighbors. Caribbean countries are also considering mental health policy reforms.

“The main goal,” emphasized Dr. Morgan, “is to make mental health care accessible to every Guyanese, regardless of location. People should not have to travel miles for this care. Our plan is to make sure they can get treatment in their own communities.”

Looking ahead, the Ministry’s Action Plan for Mental Health 2024-2030 sets a broad course for continued improvement. “Mental health is everyone’s concern,” said Dr Morgan. “We are committed to a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach that includes partnerships with ministries, NGOs and the private sector to create lasting change.”

With a mission anchored in accessibility, collaboration and compassionate care, the current initiatives of the Ministry of Health signal a new era for mental health in Guyana. Through these developments, the government is laying the foundations for a mental health system that meets the needs of all citizens, reinforcing the belief that mental health care is not just a luxury, but a fundamental right for everyone.