-Intends to work with major stakeholders in fighting suicide
By: Indrawattie Natram
Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt has announced that the Pomeroon- Supenaam Region now has a psychologist stationed at the Suddie Public Hospital to help in the fight of mental illnesses. Ramdatt said Shivanie Totaram was sent from Georgetown Public Hospital Mental Health Unit to render her services.
During an interview, he disclosed that suicide is increasing within the region and as such repeated calls have been made at various forums requesting the need for psychologists.
He therefore expressed elatement that the region has been gifted with a professional to deal with mental health illnesses, while also making representation for another.
“suicide along with other mental health issues are on the rise, as such one psychologist is not enough, while it is a good start more needs to be done to combat mental health illnesses” said the Region two Chairman.
The Regional Chairman said from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) level, several representations were made in the past. He said for the first time a Regional Conversation on suicide seminar was held where several persons from throughout Region Two attended. Again, he emphasized that a multi-stakeholder approach is needed to combat the issue of suicide.
He also recognized the efforts made by the Caribbean Voice within the Region to train teachers as well as dormitory staff from various schools as counselors. He said the Caribbean Voice has pledged it’s support through many educative outreaches.
Meanwhile, speaking with this publication, Ms Totaram said she is happy to render her services to Region Two. She said that she studied in Cuba at the University of Havana then she later worked at the Mental Health Unit at the Ministry of Public Health.
Her focus is on clinical psychology, psychological tests as well as psychotherapy. Ms Totaram said she is currently stationed at Suddie Public Hospital (SPH) but will be working on programs to reach out to persons in the various communities as well as health Centre’s.
