Significant challenges prevent many Guyanese from accessing quality mental health services in a timely manner, the Guyana Foundation said in a message to mark World Mental Health Day today.
The Foundation said that startling estimates by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), indicate that 19-24% of the population in the Americas suffer from a mental disorder.
“In Guyana, where there are less than five full-time psychiatrists, less than 300 beds in the National Psychiatric Hospital, and no day treatment or community residential facility, approximately 142,000-179,500 individuals are estimated to be in need of mental health services”, the Foundation said.
It said that mental health professionals remain overworked and underappreciated.
The Foundation said that despite efforts to train more mental health professionals, important stakeholders remain disengaged.
“Tragically, all these signs point to the mental health sector in
