Notes on the treatment of mental illness

Jan 06, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
In the capacity of a now retired proud British trained Registered Mental Nurse, and one who has practiced psychiatry in three large Canadian teaching hospitals, kindly permit me to send a few cautionary notes in the direction of the Public Health Minister Mr. George Norton. I sincerely laud his intention regarding reconstruction of the National Psychiatric Hospital, the current condition of which beggars description, and so long overdue, it no longer merits mention. “Modernised Psychiatric Hospital on the cards,” Kaieteur News, January 3, 2016, heralds his intention to lobby for a modernized institution, where according to him, persons go and get cured. He is perhaps referring to seeking treatment and being properly managed through medication and therapy. A true mental illness, not a personality disorder, or situational anxiety etc. is similar to any other chronic physical illness.
Since a true mental illness is biochemical in nature, as some have claimed, then it is exactly like any other chronic medical condition such as diabetes. By their very nature, chronic illnesses are not cured but instead managed. Hence mental illness such as schizophrenia and major depression are not cured but rather managed with medication, psychotherapy, art therapy, cognitive behavior therapy to name a few. A union of the most compliant patient and a skilled psychotherapist or psycho-pharmacologist will see break through symptoms just as any other chronic medical condition.
In his statement, the Minister also mentioned the current lack of trained personnel at the facility, and although I hate to digress, this is an area of concern that should have already been addressed, redressed and put to rest. However, better late than never! Success can only be assured when quality skilled, goal-oriented personnel are in place. Although Guyana’s present state of mental health leaves a lot to be desired, this is where the pedal hits the metal and an eye opener is warranted. According to Minister Norton, between September and October 2015, a team from Mc Master University in the province of Ontario Canada, trained Guyanese primary health care workers and mental health professionals in mental health work. What irony!
In 2006 following a released study by the Canadian Senate showing how poorly those with mental illness in Canada were treated, a horrible picture of Third World conditions in a First World nation had emerged. As a consequence, the Mental Health Commission in Canada came into being in 2007 with a 10 year mandate to serve as a catalyst in bringing together leaders and organizations from across the country in order to accelerate these changes.
All parties in the House of Commons voted in favor of the establishment of the Commission and it was endorsed by all provincial governments. In March 2015 it was reported in the news that the Commission was stuck in “groundhog day,” for Dr. David Goldbloom Chair of the Mental health Commission of Canada, produced indicators of how poorly the health system was responding to Canadian mental health needs. Taking into full consideration the fact that Canada’s current mental status is akin to that of Guyana with allowance being given for known Third World disparities, one is nevertheless forced to ask the question, as to whether or not the beam should not have been first removed from Canada’s eyes before she offered or rendered assistance to another in similar circumstances?
Was the teaching tailored in all relevant areas to suit the existing conditions in Guyana, or was it simply a case of before none any? Did the mental health situation facing the Public Health Minister caused him to act like a drowning man clutching at any straw geared towards improvement? Hopefully, only time would tell if the team from McMaster was the last straw or possessed evident flaws. The Psychiatric Hospital is being modernized, and once completed who will rate, evaluate and facilitate the learned and the learning?
Yvonne Sam.

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