Six million men grapple with depression every year, and suicide is currently the seventh leading cause of death for men. When it comes to their health, most men think of their physical health like enduring a prostate exam. They don’t realize that they are 28 times more likely to have a mental health issue like depression in any given year than prostate cancer.
Delroy Marks
Now being called a “silent crisis,” the number of men with a mental health issue is growing at an astonishing rate. But there is hope. 21-year-old Delroy Marks is on a mission to help men who are battling mental health issues.
Marks, who hails from Rose Hall town, was born on Tuesday the 28th September 1999. He is the fourth child in his family and always remembered himself as a multi-talented person.
“Growing in Berbice contributed to my development significantly. Growing up, I was adventurous and humble. Growing up in an interracial home where my father is a mixed Guyanese and mother is Indian has taught me how to respect each other race.”
He added, “The most important thing about an interracial family is that love exists beyond our skin color and our hair type. Growing up, I always wanted to contribute to my town in an impactful way, and I was given that opportunity to lead in different positions in my town, region, and different organizations.”
He attended the Rose Hall Town Nursery, the Rose Hall Town Primary Schools and later wrote the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) at the Port Morant Primary School. He was awarded a spot at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School and subsequently pursued the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) at the New Amsterdam Secondary School.
But the name Delroy Marks is no stranger to both old and young folks in Rose Hall Town. Community members remembered him as a candidate at the Local Government Elections and as the boy who selflessly over the past three years invested his time in teaching the underprivileged students who could not have afforded a summer vacation.
Serving my town has given me a lot of opportunities to grow both socially and educationally.
Marks currently holds an Associate Degree in Social Work from the University of Guyana and a Youth Leadership certificate from the Department of Youth, Culture, and Sports. He also has certificates in Time Management, Youth Work, Event Planning, and Project Management and is currently reading for his Diploma in Psychology and a Certificate in Early Childhood at the University of Guyana.
This 21-year-old youth leader said that he decided to study psychology after struggling with depression. He noted that Guyana lacks basic mental health programs and policies for men, and he is hoping to be the agent of change in that regard.
Toxic masculinity is destroying the fabric of humanity in Guyana. This is why I decided to study psychology. Fifty-three years of independence in Guyana, yet there are no policies that address men and mental health. As a way forward, I hope for better policies and systems in place for men and mental health.
Marks said that more support is needed for psychology students in training and more opportunities to integrate these students into society. He added that there is a need for more Psychotherapists, Social workers, and Counselors in our social institutions.
I will be using the knowledge I gained from psychology in aid of creating a change within my country and community by creating policies that will help to address toxic masculinity in Guyana. I will use all of the theories I learnt during my time in psychology by conducting workshops in my region and mental health campaigns within schools across Guyana. I will be engaging with the different ministries of government to host mental health workshops for men across this nation.
The young man revealed that understanding himself and his worth is one of the rewarding aspects of studying psychology.
Also, meeting different persons who have the same desire and goal as mine to create an optimistic change in today’s society. Studying psychology helps me to gain valuable research and analytical skills.
When asked if there is anything he would change, an ambitious Marks said;
One of the things I will change is how we, as an individual, see and view who we are as an individual. Why would I want to change that is because oftentimes, young persons misunderstand who they are because of what society tells them or what society wants them to be. Young people are full of potential; oftentimes, we as young people miss our blessings by listening to people who do not understand our purpose and journey in this life.
Delroy aspires to become a young politician who would contribute to the shaping of new politicians in Guyana. He also has his eyes set on having his Master’s in Political Science and having a Law Degree. He hopes of having a building where he can house and help domestic violence victims in Guyana.
Where do I see Guyana? I see Guyana as one of the most developed in the world where people of Guyana will benefit from educational programs, where our females will be a part of all governmental intuitions and more opportunities for women so that our women can integrate into our society. Programs for marginalized youths in depressed communities. I see myself as a humble young man who will be someone who dreams big and dreams for great things in the future.
