As part of its ongoing commitment to mental health advocacy, the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) participated in the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Annual Health Conference, held in Bridgetown, Barbados, from May 7 to 9, 2025. The conference marked the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Month and convened regional and international stakeholders under the theme “Mental Health: The Hidden Pandemic.”
The event brought together health professionals, academic researchers, policy makers, and community leaders to address the growing mental health crisis in the Caribbean. This year’s focus underscored the urgent need for systemic responses to the increasing psychological burden, particularly among youth populations, described by several experts at the conference as being in a “silent state of trauma.” Representing IDRF, Elyas Burney, Director of Global Programs and Social Impact at IDRF Canada, and Shameena Haniff, Country Manager of IDRF Guyana, participated in the conference to share insights from the organization’s mental health programming in Guyana. Their contributions focused on IDRF’s SPAR initiative, which supports underserved and socioeconomically vulnerable Guyanese communities with limited access to mental health resources.
The SPAR program implements a comprehensive, community-based model that includes mental health education, capacity-building for local healthcare providers, and the development of sustainable support networks. The program aims to bridge critical service gaps and foster resilience among populations disproportionately affected by mental health challenges. IDRF’s presence at the CARPHA conference not only facilitated valuable knowledge exchange but also reinforced the importance of collaborative regional efforts in addressing mental health disparities. The organization extends its appreciation to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) for its continued support, as well as to the CARPHA conference planning committee for the opportunity to contribute to this essential dialogue.
As the mental health crisis continues to escalate across the Caribbean, IDRF remains committed to advancing impactful interventions that prioritize the well-being of vulnerable populations in Guyana and beyond.
