Region 6 workshop focuses on community-based suicide counselling
─ training module was crafted following studies presented in various modules including one used in Belize
─ 50 persons have benefited from this training thus far
─ training is currently in the second phase in Region Six
DPI, Guyana, Monday, October 29, 2019
The Ministry of Public Health recently completed a four-day training exercise for persons with non-specialist skills to assist with the delivery of mental health services.
Director of Regional Health Services of Region Six, Jevaughn Andrew Stephen and Lecturer/Senior Psychologist, Balogun O. Osunbiyi along with participants of the mental health training workshop.
This exercise, which concentrates on the integration of mental health into primary care, is a collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and focuses on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Mental Health GAP Action Programme (mhGAP).
It is a community-based mental health approach that has helped in the reduction of suicide cases in the country from 44.2 for every 100,000 people to 26.4.
Thus far, over 50 persons have benefited from this training, which is currently in the second phase in Region Six, East Berbice Corentyne. Practitioners from health centres and hospitals across Berbice were involved in the training session which ran from October 22-25, at the Regional Health Services Region Six boardroom.
According to Senior Psychologist and Lecturer at the training, Balogun O. Osunbiyi, “when you have mental health services in a community where the potential patient is coming from, there is much more benefits for the patient and the healthcare provider”.
The training module used was crafted following studies presented in various modules including the one used in Belize.
Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn Andrew Stephen encouraged the practitioners to use the knowledge gained to ensure they deliver proper and efficient health care services.
The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with Pan America Health Organisation, will also execute a Problem Management Plus training exercise which will target faith-based organisations and other social groups.
Story and Images: Tanuja Raikha.