Walton-Desir Seeks Answers on Daily Suicide Watch Admissions

Leader of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) and the party’s lone Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir, is calling for greater scrutiny of Guyana’s mental health response following revelations that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is managing a double-digit number of patients on suicide watch every day.

In a social media statement, Walton-Desir said the disclosure points to a deepening mental health crisis that requires urgent national attention.

“The CEO of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has recently revealed that the hospital records double-digit suicide watch admissions daily. That disclosure confirms what many have feared: mental health crises are not isolated incidents. They are a growing public health challenge that demands serious attention, resources, and accountability,” she stated.

Walton-Desir’s comments follow recent disclosures by GPHC Chief Executive Officer Robbie Rambarran, who said the hospital is managing a double-digit number of patients on suicide watch daily and has seen an increase in attempted suicide cases.

Speaking on the Starting Point podcast, Rambarran described the situation as overwhelming for the country’s premier public health institution.

“It’s quite an overwhelming number of patients that we have on a daily basis that are on suicide watch. Yeah, it’s quite a number. And it’s in the double digits on a daily basis that are admitted and are placed on suicide watch,” he said.

Rambarran noted that while the number of patients requiring suicide watch has historically been high, the hospital has recently observed an increase in suicide attempts.

The parliamentarian said the issue was serious enough that she sought answers from the Minister of Health during the last sitting of the National Assembly.

Among the questions she raised were whether mental health risk assessments are routinely conducted for patients exhibiting emotional or psychological distress; what tools or criteria are used to identify patients at risk of self-harm; and what training medical and nursing staff receive to recognise warning signs and respond appropriately.

“These are not abstract questions. They are questions about patient safety, hospital preparedness, and the protection of vulnerable people in the State’s care,” Walton-Desir said.

Her concerns come against the backdrop of Guyana’s longstanding struggle with suicide and mental health challenges. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Guyana has historically recorded one of the highest suicide rates in the world. A systematic review of suicide research in Guyana noted that the country’s age-standardised suicide rate was estimated at 40.9 per 100,000 people in 2019, making it the second-highest globally at the time. More recent WHO data show Guyana’s suicide mortality rate at approximately 27.6 per 100,000 population, though the rate remains among the highest in the Caribbean and the wider Americas.

Mental health experts have linked suicidal behaviour to a range of factors, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, financial hardship, family conflict, domestic violence, trauma, social isolation and limited access to mental health services.

Walton-Desir argued that Guyanese deserve transparency regarding the systems in place to address those risks.

“When our largest public hospital is managing double-digit suicide watch admissions every day, Guyanese deserve clear answers about the systems, protocols, and resources in place to prevent tragedy and support those experiencing mental distress. Mental health cannot remain an afterthought. The lives of our citizens depend on it,” she said.

The issue has received increased attention in recent months following reports of suicides and attempted suicides involving patients under care at GPHC. Hospital officials have since moved to strengthen supervision and safety protocols for high-risk patients, while the Ministry of Health has launched a National Suicide Surveillance System to improve data collection and support suicide prevention efforts.

Persons experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts can seek help through the Ministry of Health’s 915 Suicide Prevention Hotline, which operates 24 hours a day, or access support through the national mental health platform such the

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines

1. Primary Crisis Hotline:
   Phone Number: +592 223 0001 or +592 223 0009 (Guyana Inter-Agency Suicide Prevention Hotline)
   Hours of Operation: 24/7
   Additional Details: Free and confidential support for individuals in distress or experiencing suicidal thoughts. (health.gov.gy)

2. Emergency Line:
   Phone Number: 911
   Notes: National emergency number for police, fire, and medical assistance, including mental health crises.

3. Text Line:
   Number/Shortcode: +592 623 4444
   Additional Details: Offers text-based crisis support for individuals uncomfortable with phone calls.