SBM Offshore Guyana has thrown its support behind a new national mental health campaign launched by the Office of the President and the Ministry of Health. The initiative titled ‘Your Mental Health Matters’ was unveiled today at the ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown headquarters, to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month.
The campaign includes a newly launched website, mentalhealth.gov.gy, a 24/7 chat service, a toll-free crisis hotline, and an animated video series aimed at destigmatizing mental illness, particularly among youth.
“This initiative is incredibly close to our hearts at SBM Offshore Guyana,” Gwenetta Fordyce, the company’s Sustainability Lead, said. “We are proud to have partnered with the Office of the President to bring this project to life.”
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Fordyce emphasized that SBM Offshore’s involvement builds on a promise made by former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bruno Chabas and renewed by current CEO Øivind Tangen. “It’s partnerships like these…that truly make a lasting impact,” she said. “When we come together with a shared goal, the result is more powerful than anything we could achieve alone.”
The campaign’s video series addresses real mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying. “These stories are designed not just to inform, but to spark conversation, build empathy, and inspire action,” Fordyce noted.
Jessica Anthony, Public Health Officer at the Office of the President, described the new website as a “centralized, accessible and trusted space” where individuals can find resources and support. She also touched on the built-in 24/7 live chat feature. “Yes, they are real people – not chatbots or AI – who are there to listen and support,” she explained. “Whether someone is dealing with stress at work, family conflict, substance use, or exam anxiety, our agents are here to help.”
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The platform also connects directly to the 915 crisis hotline, and services through the site are confidential and free.
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony praised the initiative as a major step forward. “Mental health is one of the challenges that we have in our country,” he said. “We don’t pay too much attention to mental health until it starts affecting us.” He shared global statistics on suicide, noting that close to 800,000 people die by suicide annually. “To put that in perspective, that’s the whole population of Guyana dying every year,” he said.
The Minister also pointed to recent reforms. “Our laws were dated from 1934. We now have a new Mental Health Act and a separate Suicide Prevention Act.” Dr. Anthony added that the country’s first-ever Suicide Prevention Commission is now active and supported by government funding.
Chairing the launch, Dr. Sarah Hack of the Office of the President said, “This launch is not merely a formal occasion. It is a reaffirmation of our collective responsibility to address mental health challenges with sensitivity, inclusivity and urgency.”
SBM Offshore Guyana noted its commitment to sustaining the campaign. “Let’s help build a culture where mental health is understood, supported, and prioritized – not just for our children, but for all of us,” Fordyce urged.
