GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) – The Guyana-based Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat on Tuesday said it is launching a survey on the mental health and well-being issues experienced by young people across the region.

The survey, being undertaken in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund coincides with World Mental Health Day, which is observed on October 10 under the theme “Mental Health is a universal human right”.

The Secretariat said that the survey results will inform activities associated with achieving goal number three of the Caricom Youth Development Action Plan to improve the health and holistic well-being of adolescents and youth and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Target 3 and 4.

Deputy Programme Manager, Youth Development at the Caricom Secretariat, Michele Small-Bartley said that the Secretariat, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, would utilise the results from the data analysis to develop a programme that will seek to build the capacity of youth practitioners and leaders across the community.

The programme would assist practitioners in identifying mental health and psychological signs and symptoms among youth, she said, adding that the trainees would act as first responders to assisting youth with challenges that may lead to mental health, psychological or emotional issues.

Small-Bartley said that the survey is being implemented at a critical moment for the region, as mental health and youth dominate discussions and agendas of regional and international conferences, including the upcoming 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

“Exposure to environmental issues associated with climate change and social and economic challenges, further exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 occurring at the member state level, has affected young people’s ability to navigate their pathway successfully. These issues have heightened youth vulnerability, making them more susceptible to psychosocial, emotional and mental health issues,” said Small-Bartley.