Guyana is a small country located in South America, bordered by Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil. It is expected to have a higher GDP growth than other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The country received higher predictions since oil reserves, located near the northern coast, generated massive revenue, drawing the attention of neighboring nations. In response, Guyana and its neighboring countries have established Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) to secure consistent returns for future generations. Despite the implementation of SWFs, indigenous people residing in rural areas “continue to receive poor social services, inadequate education and lower incomes,” stated the World Bank. Interweave Solutions, an online nonprofit, provides a “Success Ambassador” program to Guyana and other developing nations to teach them self-reliance, increase business prosperity and create mental health solutions through community groups.

The Cycle of Poverty and Mental Health

Mental health is a term that continues to gain popularity as a buzzword, both domestically and internationally, within various communities. The earliest studies that observed the relationship between poverty and mental health were Langner and Michael’s 1963 N.Y. study, which helped solidify the sentiment that poverty is both “a cause of mental health problems and a consequence.” The lack of resources to create mental health solutions means a child living in poverty will be emotionally stunted into adulthood. Adults living with unaddressed mental health issues struggle to cope and engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking.

About 40% of Guyanese people live in poverty, lacking access to essential resources to address their mental health concerns, potentially increasing the risk of homelessness. The Department of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana implemented the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act 2022 (“the Mental Health Act”) to reduce homelessness by these measures. The Government of Guyana also implemented a $5 million infrastructural upgrade to the Night Shelter, a 24/7 refuge for vulnerable people.

Interweave Solutions: Building New Leaders

Established in 2008 by two brothers, Lynn and Dean Curtis, along with David Curtis (son of Lynn), Interweave Solutions is an international nonprofit organization that works with developing nations to transform ordinary citizens into self-reliant community groups. The nonprofit organization is teaching different people in more than 50 countries, including Guyana, how to create their own small businesses and contribute to the growth of their nations and communities through a program called “Success Ambassadors.”

Interweave Solutions: Building a Counseling Community

The initiative also has a program called  “Counseling in the Streets,” which is dedicated to providing “a viable, sustainable option that can help those who confront mental health issues, those with family members and friends who struggle and anyone who would like to become more emotionally self-reliant.” The “Counseling in the Streets” program equips local leaders with user-friendly materials, training and consultation, empowering them to serve as group facilitators and peer counselors. The aim is to enable these leaders to “provide self-directed, interactive and highly effective therapy and emotional support for anyone who may be experiencing mental health or emotional struggles.”

Conclusion

Mental health solutions continue to develop in Guyana. In 2022, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) evaluated Guyana’s National Mental Health Plan 2015–2020. The evaluation disclosed that the country successfully attained various objectives outlined in the plan, such as heightening health awareness in communities, delivering quality care within community settings and establishing civil society organizations. The PAHO Guyana country office set goals to accomplish by 2030, pledging “its support for the provision of ongoing technical cooperation for improved mental health outcomes in the country.”

– Luis Lujano-Garcia
Photo: Flickr