Dear Editor,
Now that the government has initiated the formal process for the commencement of preparation for Budget 2021, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) urges that due consideration be given to mental health, both in terms of adequate budgetary allocation, policies and programmes. This is to ensure that Guyana is prepared to address both mental health arising out of the pandemic, and the growing mental health needs within a fast expanding economy.
In this context, there is urgent need to update the 1930s Mental Health Ordinance with the latest in mental health advancements, including technology as an instrument both for diagnosis and treatment. The National Psychiatric Hospital (NPH) needs to be urgently completed and mechanisms in place preventing clients from walking out and wandering into the community, becoming a danger to themselves and others. Consideration should be given to a mechanism to get all the mentally ill off the streets and into the NPH so they can be helped. We also suggest that those handling/transporting the mentally ill be provided with basic training to prevent undue physical responses as is often the case.
The integration of mental health care within the current health care system, started under the previous PPP/C government, ought to be speeded up so that basic mental health care becomes accessible for every Guyanese. There is a need for clinical counselors in every public health hospital with regular visits to community health centres and schools, although ideally, counselors ought to be placed in all schools. All public health hospitals should include psychiatric wards, accessible via prominent signage, so that those in need of help do not have to travel far distances to obtain same, or encounter difficulties in finding the psych ward once they arrive at a hospital.
TCV appeals to the government to bring back the lay-counselor training programme started under former Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, and ditched with no explanation provided. That programme had already been yielding results and it’s needed now more than ever, especially since it provides scope for a proactive approach to mental health within every community in Guyana.
Set up protocols to license counselors so that quacks would not be able to run around creating more harm than good. There should be a clear pathway to facilitate mandatory reporting of those needing mental health care so that they would have access to necessary assistance. Mental health parity must be facilitated so that there would be equal treatment of mental health conditions and substance-use disorders in insurance plans and healthcare services, as obtains for physical health care.
TCV also firmly believes that mental health should be included in the government’s Occupational Health & Safety mandate so that businesses across Guyana and all governmental work places, including the army, police and prison and teaching services can incorporate same. Finally, TCV strongly urges that the justice system be mandated to use psychiatric assessments and counseling referrals as needed in a manner that is consistent.
Yours faithfully,
Annan Boodram
The Caribbean Voice
