Tuesday, the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Unit, in collaboration with the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) and the Ministry of Education, held a Suicide Awareness and Prevention Workshop in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day at the University of Guyana, Tain Campus, Berbice.
Consistent with the 2024 theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” the workshop emphasised a holistic approach to suicide prevention by strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration to promote mental well-being across diverse sections of Guyanese society.
The workshop was attended by approximately 86 participants from various communities in central, upper, and lower Corentyne, Region 6. These included teachers and school guidance counsellors (Ministry of Education), primary healthcare staff (Ministry of Health), and civil society and religious leaders.
Participants received training on Suicide Awareness and Prevention, as well as the use of Mental Health Screening Tools, equipping them to identify at-risk individuals, recognise associated factors, and understand when to refer to specialist mental health services for support and care.
Dr Timothy Morgan, Director of Mental Health, Ministry of Health; Mr Akash Persaud, Senior Guidance and Counseling Officer, Ministry of Education; Dr Vishalaya Sharma, Regional Health Officer, Region 6; Ms Shameena Haniff, Country Manager, International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF); and Dr Mark Constantine, Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Unit were in attendance.
