Dear Editor,
It bears repeating that a country is judged on how it treats its most vulnerable members of society. The passing of the Suicide Prevention Act 2022 (SPA) as well as the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act 2022 (MHPPA) shows great strides in the right direction for Guyana – a country with a history of stigma of the mentally ill and a disheartening suicide rate. The significant drop in suicides by 21.7% between 2016 and 2021 shows that there is already success through the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. The passing of these two modern laws and the creation of mental health boards will hopefully cause an even steeper drop in suicides and the rates of mental illness.
Tragically, too many potentially fulfilling lives are lost annually, too late unfortunately for victims to hear the positive things said and love felt by their community, family and friends at their wake or funeral. A society which allows open dialogue on mental health issues gives affected people a chance to seek help instead of choosing an irreversible, tragic decision even as those that suffer alone see themselves as a burden, broken to the point that thoughts of no longer being here are more appealing than the thought to seek help and get treatment. A community that fosters a normalization of seeking help and admitting when problems are going on will help affected people overcome their sickness. These laws could go on to save countless lives if people don’t feel shame for being sick.
Approaching dire issues like these requires a change in public perception. Making that a critical part of the MHPPA will go a long way in removing the shame of seeking help. De-stigmatizing all mental problems will be one of the most important steps to the treatment of those currently suffering in silence. Families and friends of those suffering having a sense of patience and understanding would do a lot of good for someone struggling with their pain and their shame.
Imagine a world that would treat a broken bone the same way that mental health is treated? “Stop being soft. Stop being weak. Get over it. Be a man. Think positive.” For persons with a broken bone, there is sympathy, understanding and best wishes for the victim. If we can treat persons with mental health issues similarly, without the fear of ridicule or of being ostracized for being genuinely sick, then we will be a stronger people.
These two Acts laying out the framework for the quality of care and standard of institutions give me hope that the rights of the mentally ill will be respected and the highest level of treatment provided. The appointment of a Mental Health Board including mental health professionals whose duty it is to uphold the highest possible standards of care services through inspections and regulation will protect all those who are institutionalized. Having been involuntarily institutionalized in a psychiatric facility makes these issues important to me. Constant inspections and thoughtful regulation will do a significant amount to the faith in such institutions. If these facilities are seen as safe places to be, affected persons would be less apprehensive to seek higher levels of care.
The work that has already been done is truly commendable from the Minister to the nurses, therapists and all the health care professionals in the nation. Their consistent and focused effort has already seem measurable strides towards a community that is kinder, more empathetic and willing to provide for the most vulnerable. With the success of these acts there will be more of those struggling who are willing to come forward to seek help. With each person who is willing to go to in-patient or out-patient care or take medication in order to live normally that is another human life potentially saved. With the efforts of NGO’s, government offices and those willing to take time to check on their friends and family Guyana will move forward to a more enlightened approach to suicide and mental health care. I echo the beliefs of the Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony that “To save one life is as if you have saved the world. This bill presents us with an opportunity not to save one life but many lives.”
The future is now brighter than it has ever been for mental health services and suicide prevention in Guyana. I wish the future Board luck and give my thanks to all those who work to help vulnerable people. With time and effort Guyana will continue to improve its ability to help to those that need it. The continued success of providing adequate care throughout the country especially underserved rural areas will result in lives saved.
Yours faithfully,
Christoff Ram
