Suicide among issues to be addressed when NGOs host international Mental Health Conference

With a focus on a variety of complex Mental Health issues, the Guyanese Women Roundtable (GWR) will be hosting a three-day Conference later this month at the Pegasus Hotel.

Engaging the media on Thursday (March 09, 2017), Dr. Dawn Stewart who is one of the Founders of the GWR, noted that some of the issues to be addressed are Paranoia Disorders, Suicide thoughts, Bipolar anxiety, Schizophrenia Depression and Drug Use. However, the primary focus will be placed on Trauma as it is one of the factors which often lead to depression.

“It also will actually explore trauma in a very extensive format and in fact, we have an entire day devoted to Trauma by our Mental Health specialist. Research has shown to us that behaviour health problems have become one of the leading causes of absenteeism in the workforce and also issues relating to suicide” Dr. Stewart outlined.

The Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Mental Health is also involved in the initiative along with Ms. World Guyana, Guyanese Women’s Miners Organization, Justice and Peace Commission of the Roman Catholic Church and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD).

One of the areas of concern for the Justice and Peace Commission of the Roman Catholic Church is the trauma experienced by victims of sexual abuse, especially children. Chairman of the Commission, Lawrence Latchmansingh highlighted that “once scarred and left unhealed, children grow into adults who are likely to perpetuate the same traumas or worse that were inflicted upon them.”

The theme of the upcoming Mental Health Conference will be “Creating a space for our minds; Journeying into wellness, overcoming trauma” on March 20, 21 and 22, 2017. It is opened to the public and offers evaluation, education, and networking among leading nonprofit professionals, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, community leaders, and volunteers.

According to the Director of Mental Health at the Ministry of Public Health, the opportunity will be used to enhance the knowledge of its workers further.