Guyana’s first Mental Health Court launched

Jun 27, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – Guyana’s first Mental Health Court, designed to ensure that persons with mental health issues are afforded fair and equal treatment and access to justice, was officially launched on Thursday during a simple ceremony in the compound of the Georgetown Supreme Court.

The launch was attended by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh, and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative, Gabriel Vockel, several judges and magistrates and other stakeholders.

In her remarks, Justice George noted the ceremony marked the beginning of a significant new chapter of the justice journey of the judiciary in Guyana. The Chief Justice said: “This justice journey has now embraced therapeutic justice as we strive to be less punitive while being responsive in a different way to the many challenges persons may have when they come into contact with the law; assisting them to better change agents for themselves and ultimately the society. We started with the Drug Treatment Court in 2019 and launched the Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts in 2022.”

The Chief Justice noted that the services of the Mental Health Court will extend throughout the Magistracy in Guyana. “These services will be available not only in the Magistrate Court here in Georgetown but also in Bartica and will soon be available in New Amsterdam and on the Essequibo Coast…and eventually in most, if not all, of our magisterial district,” Justice George added.

Magistrate Tariq Mohamed of Bartica, who also addressed the ceremony virtually, said that the launch of the Mental Health Court represents a crucial step in the judiciary’s pursuit of holistic justice. “The court is more than just a legal institution; it is a testament to our collective commitment to compassion, understanding and rehabilitation. By providing an informed and innovative framework, we aim to guide individuals towards recovery and reintegration into society while also ensuring public safety and accountability.”

Meanwhile, the Attorney General stated the launch of the Mental Health Court complements the policy underpinnings, philosophy and provisions of the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act 2022. He said the establishment of this Court also enhances Guyana’s ability to discharge a number of its obligations under various international conventions dealing with human rights. “The opening of the Mental Health Court is an outstanding testament to the evolution and maturity to holistically address the issue of mental health in Guyana. Particularly, this Court will help us deal with persons whose mental illness may have contributed to their commission of a crime. The opening of this Court comes on the heels of the recently opened Children’s Court at Charity Magistrate Court, an initiative geared towards ensuring the full implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act,” Nandlall said.

He noted that the Government remains committed to collaborating with the Judiciary in establishing similar Courts across the country so that Guyanese can have access to these facilities regardless of their geographical locations.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards, had announced that the Mental Health Court would be established during the ceremonial opening of the 2025 legal year. She underscored the need for the Court, noting that traditional legal proceedings often fail to account for the unique circumstances of individuals suffering from mental health conditions. The Ministry of Human Services has welcomed the move, which complements recent efforts by the government to prioritise mental health on the national agenda. These initiatives focus on prevention, treatment, education, and long-term support, and are aimed at dismantling stigma while making services more accessible to all Guyanese.

The establishment of the Mental Health Court represents the next step in this collaborative approach, ensuring individuals affected are treated with care, sensitivity, and due consideration within the legal system. Stakeholder discussions focused on strengthening partnerships in areas such as drug rehabilitation and mental health treatment to address the social issue countrywide more comprehensively and effectively.

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• Anil Nandlall, Dr. Narine Singh, Gabriel Vockel, Mental Health Court, Roxane George, SC

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