Over 100 children and youth celebrated World Children’s Day (WCD) on Sunday at a special event at State House hosted by First Lady of Guyana, Arya Ali, in collaboration with UNICEF. Under the theme ‘Inclusion, for every child’, Guyana joined global WCD celebrations by transforming State House into a safe space for children and other youth who were invited to creatively express their feelings through art.
A press release from UNICEF said that Deputy Representative, Irfan Akhtar, took the opportunity to recognize young people who were courageously sharing their stories and thanked the First Lady for being a champion for young people and recognizing the importance of mental health. The WCD event, ‘Art therapy for mental health’, focused on mental health and participants included students, children with disabilities, migrant children, youth advocates, and other youth including UNICEF volunteers who provided support to the children. One child expressed his delight by saying, “The event was very great. I got to go and say a poem. It was very nice, I can’t believe I got to…the art pieces were beautiful, they all did a wonderful job…[It’s] something that I would want to go back and do again,” said 11-year-old Neerav Persaud, who recited a poem, ‘Rising’, to the assembled children and dignitaries. The poem celebrates survival and not giving up despite challenges.
Art facilitators, including a therapist, peer educators, and counsellors from the Ministry of Health, were also present to lend support and share information.
”I want to encourage all today to let us work together to ensure that every child has the right to survive, thrive, and grow up in a safe and protective environment, including access to quality mental health and psychosocial support,” said Akhtar. The UNICEF release stated that First Lady, Arya Ali, reminded the children that they are all very special. “I welcome you to my home, State House, and want to let you know that you are now part of my extended family…we want you all to know that we love and appreciate you. That is why UNICEF and my office organized this event for you,” she said.
“We were once children too. So we know sometimes it gets hard. We know you have your own challenges and sometimes you feel like there is no one you can talk to. Let me remind you that we are here for you. We love you and we want you to always remember that you are never alone. Even if you do not want to talk to us right away, talk to your friends. That is what friends are for – to support each other,” the First Lady said.
“And to the parents, guardians and caregivers here today, I implore you to continue to play a meaningful role in your children’s lives. Let us ensure we provide them with adequate support to realize their true potential. The government stands ready to extend its support to ensure our children have a better life,” The First Lady emphasized.
Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission, Aleema Nasir, highlighted that mental health is increasingly becoming an important aspect of the health and wellbeing of children. The release quoted the RCC Chair as saying, “In all our outreach work over the last 10 years in the regions of Guyana, we have found first hand that art therapy helps children to express how they are feeling, if there is anything that is troubling them, that that child is sad or happy or needs help in some way,” she said, while adding that we must be ready to help children get the help he or she may need so that difficulties being experienced are addressed properly.
UNICEF is working with various partners on mental health and in her remarks, Cilandell Glen, Coordinator of the Adolescent Health Unit said that the activities provide children and adolescents with the tools and skills needed to not only improve their mental health and wellness but with opportunities to contribute positively to society. “It is imperative that we continue to provide loving support to one another; the support we provide to each other would make the difference, would create the change, reduce the stigma and improve access to mental health services,” she stated.
