In observance of Mental Health Awareness Week 2018, the youth arm of the Guyana Pandits’ Council, the Yuvaa Shakti Sangh held a successful inaugural Mental Health Workshop at the Diamond / Grove Vishnu Mandir, Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara on Sunday.
A press release from the Council noted that the three-hour long workshop was conducted as a part of an ongoing project to support the global Mental Health community’s knowledge needs.
It was aimed at providing a fundamental understanding of Mental Health and its types, as well as educating on the ‘stigma’ associated with this highly prevalent issue.
Focus was given to three common Mental Health disorders, namely Anxiety, Depression and Schizophrenia. Depression is an underlying factor of suicide, of which Guyana has one of the highest rates worldwide. 
Presenters included Coordinator of the Yuvaa Shakti Sangh, Devica K. Uditram; Priest-in-charge of the Bel Air Vishnu Mandir, Pandit Dhanesh Prashad and Priest-in-charge of the Diamond / Grove Vishnu Mandir, Pandit Gopinauth Prashad.
“Ms Uditram noted that Mental Health disorders are more common than all types of Cancers combined, and therefore more emphasis and energies should be placed on raising awareness,” the release noted.
At the end of the session, participants were awarded a Certificate.
