The Canadian Minister for International Development, the Hon. Harjit. S. Sajjan officially announced the SPAR Project on November 15, 2022 during the Guyana Mental Health and Well-Being (GWB), which was organized by the Government of Guyana.
The Safeguarding the Human Dignity & Rights of Populations At-Risk for Ill-Mental Health in Vulnerable Communities across Guyana Project is funded by the Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF). The Project has a lipan of 5 years (January 2022 – March 2026).
The Project aims to enhance the dignity and rights of Guyanese by strengthening the availability and capacity of mental health services at both the community and school levels to address the country’s culture of suicide which has been called a national crisis. This will include advocacy to increase understanding of mental health challenges and reduce stigma.
Working in partnership with local organizations, the Project will employ a community-oriented care approach to mental health and wellbeing that builds on existing social structures and the strengths of community health workers, mental health survivors, multi-faith leaders and communities’ capacities to work together to chart a new path of mental health resilience.