Primary care now includes mental health care - MOPH lead psychologist

Primary care now includes mental health care – MOPH lead psychologist

Nov 12, 2018 News

Mental health illness in Guyana has often been regarded with much antagonism due to preconceived notions that can often lead to perpetuated discrimination of persons with the illness.
The Ministry of Public Health’s Mental Health Unit is seeking to change this narrative that society has written on mental health patients over the years.
The ministry is doing this by integrating mental health care in primary care for these individuals. Senior psychologist of the Unit, Balogun Osunbiyi asserted that patients should be able to access mental health care in the same way that they would have access to primary health care.
In Guyana, mental illness or neurological disorders affect nearly one in four persons, with women, the unemployed and young people accounting for over sixty percent. This demographic, being more susceptible to mental health illnesses, accounts for a vast percentage of suicides within Guyana. With this being said, a primary care system that encompasses mental health care may benefit a country with statistics like these greatly.
Primary healthcare equates to what might be referred to as ‘essential healthcare’, universally accessible to individuals and families in a community and provided as close as possible to where persons live and work.
Primary care, which is decentralized, refers to care that is based on the needs of the general populace.
In an interview, Osunbiyi explained that the integration of mental health services into primary care involves the treating and diagnosing of persons with mental health disorders, as well as ensuring that primary health workers are adequately equipped to use key psychosocial and behavioral science skills in their day-to-day work. This, in turn, he explained, may improve overall health outcomes in primary healthcare.
Furthermore, the ministry’s Mental Health unit, in seeking to integrate mental health services into primary care across the country, has trained doctors and healthcare personnel in the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGap Programme). In addition to this, all non- specialized doctors are now required to train in the programme.
Osunbiyi said that persons are often deterred by the stigma attached to mental health illnesses and as such, they would not want to be seen entering a building with such a labeling. This, he explained has led to the training of healthcare personnel across the region, with mental health social workers being trained to assess, evaluate and refer mental health patients in basic facilities such as health centres or hospitals across the country. Osunbiyi explained that the initiative has led to a significant improvement in the way mental health illness is viewed.
However, he asserted that there is a great need for the stigma attached to mental health illness to be eradicated, as stigma embraces both prejudicial attitudes and discriminating behaviour towards persons with mental health issues. Individuals who have mental health illnesses are often faced with exclusion, poor social systems and much more subjectivity.
Stigmatization of these individuals may also hinder the effects of treatment outcomes and thus stymie efficient recovery from mental health illnesses. These factors alone represent viable reasons for mental health stigma to be eradicated, to ensure that social inclusion is facilitated as well as the efficacy of recovery.
He further added that patients are becoming increasingly aware of services for mental health ailments.
“People are more aware of services in mental health, with these new measures in place…”
BENEFITS OF INTEGRATING MENTAL HEALTHCARE INTO PRIMARY CARE
According to reports based on empirical data, the integration of mental health services into primary care has significantly reduced the stigma for persons living with mental health illnesses and their families. Since primary healthcare services are not associated with any illness in particular, stigma is reduced when seeking mental healthcare from a primary service facility compared to that of a stand-alone specialized service.
The initiative has also been known to improve accessibility of mental health care for persons living in outlying regions; it has also increased detection and improved prevention of mental health disorders.

Latest News

Primary care now includes mental health care – MOPH lead psychologist

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 13th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Ramnath sets tone for WI ahead of opener

Seales dominates but Shakeel, Rizwan lead...

Youngsters impress as final day draws near

BCB/Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi U15 Inter Club...

Windies captain Brathwaite stresses bravery,...

In-form Savory dazzles on second day with classy...

Features/Columnists

Burnham must be having a good laugh

Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal

Exim 4% rate

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Primary care now includes mental health care – MOPH lead psychologist

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 13th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]