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The Mental Health Unit’s services are now available across three (3) Regional Hospitals, and eight (8) Health Centers in Regions 2, 3, and 4.

Collaboration with the GPHC Psychiatry Department has seen the expansion of Specialist Psychiatry Satellite Clinics​ across regions 1 through 10:

• Adult Psychiatric Clinics expanded across eight (8) Regions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 & 10​
• Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics initiated across four (4) Regions – 3, 4, 5 & 6

Twice-weekly home visits are taken, by a mental health team, to psychiatric patients who are unable to receive medical treatment at the hospital, and/or to facilitate admission, if necessary. The mobile team also responds to cases of concern within communities which require urgent mental health intervention by professionals.

In November the Suicide Prevention Bill 2022 was passed in parliament.

• Enacts the decriminalization of suicide in Guyana.
• Establishment of a National Suicide Prevention Commission:
  • Responsible for the preparation of a National Suicide Prevention Plan
  • The planning, design and implementation of public programmes to reduce suicides and suicide attempts in the country
  • Sensitization and awareness training on suicide and suicide prevention
  • The establishment of Suicide Prevention Centres across Guyana.

References

• https://officialgazette.gov.gy/images/gazette2022/jun/Extra_27JUNE2022Bill11of2022.pdf