Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) the child psychiatry clinics which were previously conducted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) have since been expanded to several regions. These clinics, he said, are aimed at making mental health services more accessible to all age groups in every region of Guyana. The minister also said the classroom for children with neurological development disorders would be expanded at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, a move anticipated to bring welcomed relief to the parents of children with such needs. Speaking to tackle the issue of youth’s mental health in school, the minister said the ministry is preparing for the rollout of a resilience-building training programme. The programme is being conducted by the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF), a Canadian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), under a larger project to tackle mental health issues in Guyana. The project, which received CAD $2.9 million in funding, is expected to benefit some 67,750 persons over a five-year period.
In addition to working with schools, members of the President’s Youth Council will also receive resilience training, and under a trainers’ programme, receive coaching on how to train others as well, the minister said.