As part of its ongoing efforts to bring awareness to the issues of suicide and mental health challenges, the Massy Group is collaborating with the Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Unit, and several local actors to host a theatrical performance catering specifically to secondary school students.
In a release, the Massy Group stated that the production which is titled “Shadow of Tomorrow” will be held at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown on September 18 and is in commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, and World Mental Health Day coming up on October 10. Among the actors scheduled to appear are Sonia Yarde, Sean Budnah, Delica Piggot, La Toya DaSilva, Mark Luke Edwards, Sean Thompson, and Le Tisha DeSilva, to name a few.
The release explained that the aim of the performance is to “shed light on the realities of suicide and mental health struggles, emphasize the importance of seeking help, and create empathy and understanding among the audience.” It also took note of the fact that, “In Guyana, suicide rates are among the highest in the world, with young people being particularly vulnerable. As such, Massy Group believes it is crucial to address this issue proactively and provide support and resources to those in need.”
According to Massy Group, this will be its third theatrical production, targeting several schools across Guyana.
As such, approval has been granted for students from as many as 24 public and private secondary schools from across Guyana to attend the show which starts at 1:30 pm and is free of cost.
The release also made it known that in addition to targeting teenagers, the Group has also organised support for its staff, numbering some 1,000 Guyanese, starting with a web-based application to assess its employees’ levels of anxiety, depression, and well-being. After completing the self-assessment, employees will be provided with professional help and counselling where required. In this way, the Group aims to create a supportive work environment that fosters mental health and resilience by empowering employees to enhance their overall well-being.
“At Massy Guyana, we believe that taking care of one’s mental health is of utmost importance. Through these initiatives, we aim to break down the barriers that prevent open conversations about mental health and provide meaningful support to those in need,” said Christpen Bobb-Semple, Assis-tant Vice President and Head of The Group’s Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Steering Committee.
The Massy Group is urging everyone to join the effort to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health, promoting life skills development, and fostering a culture of support and understanding, the release added.
