Dear Editor,
In the capacity of a now retired, proud British trained Registered Mental Nurse, and one who has practised in three large Canadian teaching hospitals, kindly permit me to send a few cautionary notes in the direction of the Public Health Minister George Norton. I sincerely laud his intention regarding the reconstruction of the National Psychiatric Hospital, the current condition of which beggars description, and is so long overdue, it no longer merits mention. A report in Kaieteur News of January 3, heralds his intention to lobby for a modernized institution, where according to him persons go and get cured. He is perhaps referring to seeking treatment and being properly managed through medication and therapy. A true mental illness, not a personality disorder, or situational anxiety, etc, is similar to any other chronic physical illness. Since a true mental illness is biochemical in nature, as some have claimed, then it is exactly like any other chronic medical condition such as diabetes. By their very nature, chronic illnesses are not cured but instead managed. Hence mental illness such as schizophrenia and major depression are not cured but rather managed with medication, psychotherapy, art therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy, to name a few. A union of the most compliant patient and a skilled psychotherapist or psychopharmacologist will see breakthrough symptoms, just as with any other chronic medical condition.
In his statement the Minister also mentioned the current lack of trained personnel at the facility, and although I hate to digress, this is an area of concern that should have already been addressed and put to rest. However, better late than never! Success can only be assured when quality skilled goal-oriented personnel are in place. Although Guyana’s present state of mental health leaves a lot to be desired, this is where the pedal hits the metal and an eye-opener is warranted. According to Minister Norton, between September and October 2015 a team from McMaster University in the province of Ontario Canada, trained Guyanese primary health care workers and mental health professionals in mental health work. What an irony! In 2006 following a study released by the Canadian Senate showing how poorly those with mental illness in Canada were treated, a horrible picture of Third World conditions in a First World nation emerged. As a consequence, the Mental Health Commission in Canada came into being in 2007 with a 10-year mandate to serve as a catalyst in bringing together leaders and organizations from across the country in order to accelerate these changes. All parties in the House of Commons voted in favour of the establishment of the Commission, and it was endorsed by all provincial governments.
In March 2015 it was reported in the news that the Commission was stuck in groundhog day, for Dr David Goldbloom, Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, produced indicators of how poorly the health system was responding to Canadian mental health needs. The document entitled ‘Informing the Future – Mental Health Indicators for Canada, listed among the issues of serious concern discrimination among people with mental health concerns, suicide rates in the general population, intentional self-harm among college students and stress associated with family caregiving.’ Commission President Louise Bradley pointed out that having a clear understanding of both the problems and opportunities and putting this knowledge to work is critical to making inroads in mental health in Canada.
Taking into full consideration the fact that Canada’s current status in relation to mental health is akin to that of Guyana with allowance being made for known Third World disparities, one is nevertheless forced to ask as to whether or not the beam should not have been first removed from Canada’s eye before she offered or rendered assistance to another in similar circumstances? Was the teaching tailored in all relevant areas to suit the existing conditions in Guyana, or was it simply a case of before none, any? Did the mental health situation facing the Public Health Minister, cause him to act like a drowning man clutching at any straw geared towards improvement? Only time will tell. The Psychiatric Hospital is being modernized, and once completed who will rate and evaluate it?
Yours faithfully,
Yvonne Sam