Police, educators to be trained to mental illness detection

In addition to the ongoing training program for primary healthcare workers, there are plans to
extend professional training on recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness to police
officers and teachers. This disclosure was made by Dr. Frank Anthony, the Minister of Health,
during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI). Minister Anthony
emphasized that while physical health has traditionally taken precedence over mental health,
there has been a recent shift in the country’s cultural perspective.

Acknowledging the significance of mental health and well-being, the government has initiated
training for primary healthcare workers using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Mental
Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) manuals to enhance their ability to identify indicators
of mental illness.

Minister Anthony revealed that discussions have taken place between the Ministry and the
Guyana Police Force (GPF) to explore the feasibility of training police officers according to
these guidelines. He shared, “I spoke to the police about two weeks ago, discussing the potential
for collaboration. They have shown interest in such a partnership, which would involve training
police officers to better respond to individuals with mental health issues.”

Teachers represent a second priority group for this training initiative due to their regular
interactions with numerous young individuals who might be grappling with mental health
challenges. Minister Anthony explained, “Currently, we are collaborating with the Ministry of
Education to provide training for teachers in detecting specific conditions like visual and
auditory impairments. We intend to incorporate mental health awareness training within this
framework.”

Government measures enacted in the past year underscore its commitment to promoting
awareness and enhancing conditions for individuals dealing with mental health issues. These
measures include the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act of 2022 and the revised
Suicide Prevention Act of 2022.

The Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act serves to replace the Mental Health Ordinances
of 1930. It seeks to ensure accessibility to mental health services for all individuals, safeguard
the rights of those with mental illnesses, and implement policies aimed at diminishing stigma.

Simultaneously, the Suicide Prevention Act establishes a Suicide Prevention Commission with
the aim of diminishing the stigma surrounding suicide and ultimately reducing its incidence.

The ongoing training initiative has already equipped over 150 primary healthcare workers with
the skills to identify and address signs and symptoms of mental illness. These trained individuals
are also capable of offering care and appropriately reporting cases to mental health professionals.