Journal of Psychiatry

Psychology in Suriname: An overview of the mental health care in Suriname

27^th International Conference on PSYCHIATRY & PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH

June 18-19, 2018 Paris, France

Mariam Sedney

Social Security Policy, Suriname

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Suriname is delighted to participate in this International Conference for Psychology 2018 in Paris. We aim to give a glimpse of our country and culture from a Psychological perspective. We hope that after this presentation this global platform will understand the Mental Health Care in Suriname. In this presentation, the emphasis will be on the most common mental health disorders that Surinamese citizens struggle with and the connection with environmental and cultural factors. Are there additional differences in the vulnerability and etiology of the disorders in Suriname due to cultural factors? In cooperation with the Minister of Health, Suriname Psychiatric Hospital, Mental Health Clinics (e.g Mole Mann Mental Health Clinic Netherlands, department Suriname) and the University, statistics will be presented about the estimated amount of mental health patients and the most common disorders in our country. There will be an overview about the discrepancy of supply and demand regarding mental health care. Is there access for every Surinamese citizen towards Psychological treatment? Is the demand for mental health care in Suriname more than estimated, because of the taboo and stereotypical culture? How can we break through this taboo culture and bring more mental health awareness and Psychological education to family, friends and acquaintances? We will also touch upon several suicide cases in Suriname and the relation with depression. Furthermore, some insights of the most common therapy forms at the Psychiatric hospital and mental health clinics in Suriname will be presented, along with the statistics of the Global Assessment of Functioning at the end of several treatments.

Biography :

Mariam Sedney has studied Psychology at the Anton De Kom University of Suriname (2011-2014) in cooperation with the Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She has worked for two years during her studies and for three years after graduation at the Mole Mann Mental Health Clinics Netherlands. Apart from clinical based treatments, she also performed IQ tests for children in order of the Government, assessments for companies, progressive relaxation therapy to employees of various companies and trauma treatment to children and youth of the NosKasita Orphanage in Suriname. During this period, she also attended several Psychological Symposia and trainings of the CANPA and IASP organizations mostly regarding depression and suicide. Afterwards, she worked for a year as a Counselor at Credit Safe Netherlands, an insurance company. Now, she is working at the Government of Suriname at the Cabinet of the Vice President as Secretary of the Sub Council of Ministers of the Social Security System regarding health care policy.

E-mail: meriamsedney@gmail.com