Mental Health: The Ministry of Health is leading new, inclusive initiatives to transform access to care

Mental health care in Guyana is on the cusp of transformation, led by the Ministry of Health’s ambitious, broad-based initiatives designed to decentralize and improve mental health care.

Last weekend, a workshop at Cara Lodge marked a significant step forward as journalists 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 promoting 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, a vision for mental health, embedded in the growth of Guyana’s health sector. “Each of the new hospitals will be equipped to handle mental health cases, integrating mental health into the healthcare infrastructure,” said Dr. Morgan, emphasizing a community-based approach. By tailoring mental health care to the different social and economic needs of each region, the ministry aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health issues and promote accessible, region-specific support systems.

A three-digit suicide helpline will soon be introduced again, providing a lifeline to those in need of immediate help. “Our focus is on a holistic, region-specific strategy,” explained Dr. Morgan expressed, adding: “Mental health is not just about treating symptoms; it’s about tackling the root causes, from economic pressure to social isolation. We work with different sectors – from the Ministry of Health to economic and social groups – to ensure that mental health is a joint national effort.”

This emphasis on inclusivity is reflected in the Department’s pioneering mobile psychiatric clinics, which have enabled access to mental health care in remote communities that previously faced barriers due to geographic and financial constraints. “These mobile clinics have changed the game,” said Dr. Morgan, noting the dramatic decline in long-term psychiatric hospitalizations. “We provide direct support to those who would otherwise be left without care, ensuring no one is left behind.”

The Ministry’s decentralization efforts also extend to Guyana’s hinterland regions, where they are establishing systems that allow residents to receive care close to home. “Moving mental health care from central hospitals to community-based care is critical,” said Dr. Morgan. “This shift promotes a supportive environment where individuals can receive mental health care in an environment that is familiar and welcoming.”

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

“The most important goal,” 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 ensure that they can receive treatment within their own community.”

Looking ahead, the Ministry’s Mental Health Action Plan 2024-2030 outlines a comprehensive path for continued improvements. “Mental health is everyone’s concern,” affirmed Dr. Morgan. “We are committed to a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, including partnerships with ministries, NGOs and the private sector to create lasting change.”

With a mission anchored in accessibility, collaboration and compassionate care, the Ministry of Health’s current initiatives herald a new era for mental health care in Guyana. Through these developments, the government is laying the foundation for a mental health care 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 all.