A CREATIVE AGENCY TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOUR CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH CARE SEEKING AND REDUCE STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE
- Background
Mental health and well-being are critical components of adolescents’ overall growth and future.
Currently, estimates for the burden of disease for mental health conditions in Guyana range between 5.13 percent and 13 percent of the entire disease burden (in disability-adjusted life-years). This is the largest percentage of the total disease burden. In Guyana, suicide represents a significant public health issue, accounting for 3.5 percent of the total disease burden, as measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). This places Guyana with the second highest burden of suicide in the Region of the Americas, where suicide ranks as the fifth-highest cause of DALYs overall. Evidence points to higher suicide rates among those of Indo-Guyanese ethnicity (over 80 percent of all suicide cases as per the 2015-2020 National Suicide Prevention Plan), males and youth (12-25 years of age). Identified risk factors for suicide in Guyana encompass depression, availability of poisons like pesticides and herbicides—commonly linked to agricultural and rural settings—and alcohol consumption.
In the country, the burden of mental health diseases is heavily influenced by a combination of socioeconomic conditions and health system factors. Economic hardship, prevalent in many communities, often leads to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, intensifying the overall mental health burden. Adding to these challenges is the significant stigma surrounding mental health conditions, which can deter individuals from seeking necessary help due to fear of social ostracization.
In Guyana, stigma has been found to be a barrier for seeking mental healthcare and social stigma experienced by those who attempt, or are related to someone who committed suicide. The situational analysis of the current mental health plan for Guyana asserts that stigma and discrimination against individuals with mental health issues continue to pervade all levels of society, creating significant barriers to accessing care and leading to social isolation and worsening mental health outcomes. A study exploring the challenges and obstacles faced by Guyanese youth in accessing mental health services highlighted the pervasive issues of shame and stigma associated with mental illness, a significant deterrent for young individuals seeking help. Additionally, the study found notable fear among youths of negative reactions from parents if they were to seek mental health support, further compounding the reluctance to reach out for necessary services. The study also revealed a general lack of awareness and prevailing negative attitudes towards mental health services, suggesting them as critical areas for intervention.