In an effort to foster open discussions among young people about mental health and highlight the importance of seeking treatment, UNICEF Guyana, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and World Health Organization (WHO), on Thursday, October 10, launched its “Hear Me Out” mental health anti-stigma campaign at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground in Region Six, a UNICEF release announced.
According to the release, First Lady Arya Ali, who addressed the gathering, stated the dangers of overlooking mental health. “This is an area of health which we continue to mobilise support around and one which is continually evolving, thus making it a more complex issue. In our fast-paced world, we often overlook mental health in favour of other goals and pursuits of life. But it is very important that we deploy stress management techniques and find what works for us best,” she was quoted as saying.“But beyond ourselves, we also have a responsibility around us, our family and friends. Their mental health also matters. We must begin by destigmatising mental health. In a society like ours, that can be challenging, but an allyship like ours will ensure we overcome this challenge, we have the power to stabilise, and we must never forget. That is why today’s activity is so important.”
Meanwhile, the release said, UNICEF Country Representative Nicolas Pron, highlighted the importance of mental health in overall well-being. “Mental health is as important as our physical health… By encouraging conversations and practices to protect mental health among young people, we can create a society where no one feels ashamed to ask for help,” it quoted him as saying.
Director of the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Unit Dr Timothy Morgan spoke of the importance of collaborations in the fight to improve mental health, the release said. “The Ministry of Health, through the Mental Health Unit, has been actively collaborating with our partners to improve the mental health of our Guyanese children and adolescents. We will continue to partner with PAHO/WHO, UNICEF and other like-minded organisations and government agencies to holistically improve the mental health of our Guyanese children and adolescents and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues,” he was quoted as saying.
According to UNICEF, the “Hear Me Out” campaign will include a variety of activities, such as school-based programmes, television and radio broadcasts, and social media initiatives. It encourages everyone, from students and parents, to teachers and community members, to take part and contribute to the campaign.
The release referenced the WHO global statistics on suicide, which informs that Guyana is among the countries in the world with a significantly high suicide rate. Further, globally, one in four people is affected by poor mental health with approximately 280 million people in the world living with depression. Reports have revealed that more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year, with suicide being the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds.
UNICEF said that it remained committed to ensuring good mental health and well-being for every child, everywhere and through the “Hear Me Out” campaign, it aims to empower young people to prioritise their mental health and seek the support they need, the release added.
