The Ministry of Health has taken a major step towards addressing the serious mental health problem in Guyana by training health workers countrywide to deal with persons who may experience mental problems owing to substance abuse.
According to National Mental Health Coordinator, Dr Bhiro Harry, those who are being trained, including nurses, doctors and other health workers from Regions One, Two, Four, Six and Ten, will return to their areas and set up units in and outside hospitals to deal with substance abuse issues.
Importantly the crippling effect of alcohol abuse in Guyana was recognised at the opening of the five-day workshop, titled ‘Concurrent Disorders/Substance Abuse training’, yesterday at the Regency Hotel. The workshop is the first step towards implementing the ministry’s 18-point mental health strategic plan.
According to Dr Harry, the number of mental health cases seen by the Georgetown Public Hospital had significantly increased from 1984 to now, but he could not give a figure. Asked to name the substances most abused by persons seen at the hospital, Harry said that at the outpatient unit it was alcohol, marijuana and cocaine in that order, while at in-patent level it was marijuana and cocaine.
