Suicide rates in the Americas have increased by 18.2% between the years of 2004 and 2014 (Healthy People 2020, 2016). This fact alone indicates the inexorable need of focus in mental health promotion. Calling for even more concern is that a neighboring farmland community of Guyana has been branded the ‘suicide belt’ (Medical Daily, 2016). The primary focus of this mental health promotion will be that of the Guyanese peoples.
In promoting mental health one would first consider what types, qualities, and quantities of mental health facilities and applications currently available to the Guyanese people. To better understand such figures it is important to point out that is has been recorded that 142,000 to 179,500 individuals in Guyana are in need of mental health services. The most unfortunate statistic remains in the fact that there are only ‘5 full time employed psychiatrists, less than 300 beds in the National Psychiatric Hospital, and no day treatment or community residential facility’ (Medical Daily, 2016). An interesting, and obvious, fact to point out remains in the aspect that suicide rates plaguing Guyana are exceptionally high. In fact rates derives from the World Health Organization report indicate that suicide rates in Guyana are ‘four times higher than the global average’ (Medical Daily, 2016).
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In order to better combat mental health it is important to note that some scholars maintain theory that the use of particular pesticides and herbicides, and alcohol abuse, in the area are linked to the increase in suicide rates (Global Development Professionals Network, 2015). This, however, may be contributed to the mere fact that such pesticides are readily available to any seeking such. The terms of suicide in Guyana may be better explained through the ‘cluster’ affect (The British Journal of Psychiatry, 2011), wherein defining that those individuals that live and survive in close quarters often have a propensity to commit suicide when others in the same group are successful at accomplishing such. This is not to state that readily available pesticides and herbicides do not play a factor.
Cultural definitions within Guyana are increasingly important to consider. It has been studied and reported by Savitri Persaud, a doctoral candidate at York University, that the Guyanese people have attributed mental health issues to ‘witchcraft’ (Global Development Professionals Network, 2015). The heavy stigma that weighs on mental health leaves little room for individuals to seek health services for fear of the repercussion heavily found within Guyanese culture. No assistance with mental health leaves the rates of suicide to skyrocket, as made apparent with current statistics on Guyana.
In careful consideration of the statistics and facts surrounding suicide rates in Guyana creating an effective mental health promotional program is would be optimal to consider all areas previously divulged. As stated by Savitri Persaud when speaking in regards to suicide prevention in Guyana, impact need be completed on an individual basis and ‘proactive not reactive’ measures need be taken. This comes into speculation after the government had reactively sent storage containers for pesticides in order to combat suicide rates in Guyana. Sadly enough, only 10 farmers actually received such containers and only 150 were designated for total distribution (Global Development Professionals Network, 2015). This is a far cry from the staggering numbers that Guyana faces with suicide in their country.
A mental health awareness program for Guyana would include cognizance and action starting at the individual level. Educating the members of this culture in regards to mental health would be beneficial; this could be executed via out-patient services. Allocating educational measures that infer mental health as a concrete scientific study may help to persuade some. It need be considered that witchcraft is a cultural definition of Guyanese peoples; education may prove more difficult due to this belief. In order to counteract this pestilence stigma of witchcraft, one may consider implementing psychological health facilities within the region of Guyana. If the community has individuals that enter the programs developed through the health facilities and are able to actually witness and involve themselves in the procurement of better mental health probability of success would increase.
Once education is underway for the Guyanese people, one need address the pesticide situation with a smidge more scrutiny than the government has already done. Implementing the safe disposal of unsafe pesticides and re-implying safer pesticides, to include such that would not allow for fatal consumption. To further rectify this particular situation, perhaps those that attempt suicide would be registered into a mental health facility, as stated previous more facilities need be generated for success.
Alcohol abuse is another significant factor found in suicide. Throughout the needed mental health facilities in Guyana there need be specialized departments that treat and facilitate alcohol rehabilitation. This particular faction within the scope of suicide would need to include in-patient facilitation. It would prove most beneficial to maintain local members of the community to help staff the medical facilities needed; this may help to combat the level of resistance that may exist due to existing cultural beliefs.
In totality, Guyana need have many more mental health facilities and awareness implemented throughout the region, with both inpatient and outpatient services. Given that federal regulations require a threshold of 20,000 individuals to 1 psychiatrist to be considered for a professional shortage (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2016), one could ultimately state that Guyana is severely suffering from a professional shortage. Perhaps educating local community members, so that they are able to become the necessary professionals needed for the region, need be implemented through this mental health promotion. In one-dimensional literacy, the Guyanese people need be educated regarding mental health and it’s correlation to suicide.
- The British Journal of Psychiatry. (2011, October). Clustering of suicides among people with mental illness. Retrieved from http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/187/5/476.abstract
- Global Development Professionals Network. (2015, June 3). Guyana: mental illness, witchcraft, and the highest suicide rate in the world | The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jun/03/guyana-mental-illness-witchcraft-and-the-highest-suicide-rate-in-the-world
- Healthy People 2020. (2016, October 11). Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Mental-Health/data#MHMD-1
- Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2016, September 8). Mental Health Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Retrieved from http://kff.org/
- Medical Daily. (2015, June 3). Suicide rates highest in Guyana, may be explained by clustering effect. Retrieved from http://www.medicaldaily.com/suicide-rates-highest-guyana-may-be-explained-clustering-effect-306982
