The Guyana Foundation will be launching a two-phase national mental health programme, through the generous donation of Joe Moore, a donor from the UK.
A release from the Foundation said that the programme was conceived after the NGO observed that countless individuals have suffered some type of mental health problem in silence, alone, while others – many in the prime of their lives – have given up hope and committed suicide.
The programme will raise awareness, through the media; will educate through seminars in different parts of the country, led by local and international professionals; will eventually provide mental health outreach to those communities most in need; and will support local organisations serving individuals with mental health concerns.
According to the release, the Guyana Foundation will use its international network to fund-raise to improve existing treatment centres and create new ones to try to effectively bring the problem under control. The foundation acknowledged that this was a responsibility of the Ministry of Health, but said that it will continue to do as much as it could with the hope that the relevant authorities will recognise its efforts and can begin to work together to put a stop to the senseless loss of life.
The foundation said that everyone has a responsibility to be involved. It noted that poverty and hardship were causing severe mental health breakdowns. It appealed to all Guyanese, “If you are a neighbour, a brother, a sister, a friend, a stranger with a good heart you have the responsibility to reach out to assist those who are on the brink of a mental breakdown. Let’s work together on this. We appeal to all to assist with this programme.”
The Guyana Foundation can be contacted by email at guyanafoundation@gmail.com, or by telephone at 225-4414.
