Today a violent mentally ill young man was seen wandering in our vicinity. He caused disturbance on our campus. I was able to turn him away in the morning by speaking to him gently and calmly, but on the agternoon he really scared our helper Jagarnath.
By his apearance he seems to belong to a good family. I have seen him in the marketplace too screaming at people and just talking loudly to himself. Yesterday he beat up a man on the street. If he shows up again and we are threatened by him, I shall call the police. Please pray for our protection and for this man too. He needs medication and care.
Mental illness is a social stigma in India. Mental patients are ignored, ostracized or abused. For their treatment people turn to quacks and faith healers in temples and shrines rather than qualified doctors.
Read this short report by Akashdeep Singh of Christian Medical College and Hospital , Ludhiana, Punjab,
Neglect of the Mentally ill in India
Akashdeep Singh
Christian Medical College and Hospital
The prevalence of major mental and behavioural disorders at any given point of time in India is estimated to be 65/1000 population translating to 70 million.1,2
The mentally ill are almost never taken seriously and are treated with little or no dignity. And worst of all, they are locked up, locked away.
The country's ability to treat, care for and rehabilitate the mentally ill leaves much to be desired - the ratio of trained psychiatrists to mentally ill patients is dramatically low at 1: 100,000. In the 37 government-run mental health institutions across the country the cot to patient ratio stands at an average of 1:14. 75% of mentally ill patients live in the villages, where even access to basic health-care is difficult. 53% of the state-run psychiatric hospitals have no programmes whatasoever for the rehabilitation of their inmates
The spending in terms of the country’s mental health budget does not exceed 1% of the total health expenditure. Though the National Mental Health Programme was implemented to provide services to rural as well as urban population but even today 80% of the rural population do not get these services Other barriers to the effective treatment of mental illness include lack of recognition of the seriousness of mental illness and lack of understanding about the benefits of services. Policy makers, insurance companies, health and labour policies, and the public at large – all discriminate between physical and mental problems.
Mental patients are being systematically and continuously ignored and denied the social rights they deserve
Read a related story - India 's Mentally Ill Turn to Faith Not Medicine
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Sheeba (doggie) has a ear infection. I have been cleaning it and treating it with ear drops and cream. Early this morning I found it was bloody . She was suffering. I have called the pet shop boy to come and see her and bring the necessary medicines.
By his apearance he seems to belong to a good family. I have seen him in the marketplace too screaming at people and just talking loudly to himself. Yesterday he beat up a man on the street. If he shows up again and we are threatened by him, I shall call the police. Please pray for our protection and for this man too. He needs medication and care.
Mental illness is a social stigma in India. Mental patients are ignored, ostracized or abused. For their treatment people turn to quacks and faith healers in temples and shrines rather than qualified doctors.
Read this short report by Akashdeep Singh of Christian Medical College and Hospital , Ludhiana, Punjab,
Neglect of the Mentally ill in India
Akashdeep Singh
Christian Medical College and Hospital
The prevalence of major mental and behavioural disorders at any given point of time in India is estimated to be 65/1000 population translating to 70 million.1,2
The mentally ill are almost never taken seriously and are treated with little or no dignity. And worst of all, they are locked up, locked away.
The country's ability to treat, care for and rehabilitate the mentally ill leaves much to be desired - the ratio of trained psychiatrists to mentally ill patients is dramatically low at 1: 100,000. In the 37 government-run mental health institutions across the country the cot to patient ratio stands at an average of 1:14. 75% of mentally ill patients live in the villages, where even access to basic health-care is difficult. 53% of the state-run psychiatric hospitals have no programmes whatasoever for the rehabilitation of their inmates
The spending in terms of the country’s mental health budget does not exceed 1% of the total health expenditure. Though the National Mental Health Programme was implemented to provide services to rural as well as urban population but even today 80% of the rural population do not get these services Other barriers to the effective treatment of mental illness include lack of recognition of the seriousness of mental illness and lack of understanding about the benefits of services. Policy makers, insurance companies, health and labour policies, and the public at large – all discriminate between physical and mental problems.
Mental patients are being systematically and continuously ignored and denied the social rights they deserve
Read a related story - India 's Mentally Ill Turn to Faith Not Medicine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sheeba (doggie) has a ear infection. I have been cleaning it and treating it with ear drops and cream. Early this morning I found it was bloody . She was suffering. I have called the pet shop boy to come and see her and bring the necessary medicines.
9 Fertilize my soul:
It's that people can be treated with disdain for something they often cannot control.
Dear Amrita ~ May you feel God's love and protection surrounding you. May this young man get the help he needs.
May your little dog be soon feeling better also.
FlowerLady
Due to my son being severely autistic, I know about mental illness firsthand. We have tried all the medications and nothing really helps. I am convinced that it is the blood of Jesus Christ that is the ultimate cure for all illnesses of the mind. If He cured the lunatics in the Bible and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, He can still cure today.
I pray for your protection and this poor man's healing.
Love,
Sandy
Dear Amrita,
My heart is bleeding when a mentally ill causes disturbance. I thank God for your wisdom to talk calmly but determined to the man.
I'm praying for your safety. Does the man get anything to eat at all. He may be both hungry and thirsty. If you dare, give him a glass of water for the sake of Jesus.
Even in Norway after all these years of education and medical treatment the mentally ill are an outcast group.
The stigma of even socialising with people with severe psychological illnesses still is present.
I know, because I have a former colleague who is bipolar psychotic at times. Gunnar and I have remained her friend and she is welcome in our home.
People are so eager to tell us what this lady has done while in one of her psychotic phases.
They're not eager to tell good things about her, or to see her need.
This varnish of civilisation is very thin.
Also praying for Sheeba, that she may get healed.
Felisol
Dear Amrita,
I'm glad you can understand about mental illness better than the average of people. Your compassion had no limits when you approached the young man. But as you said, he needs the proper care and treatment. He is a threat to himself and to others. I pray that he can find the proper treatment. I pray for you, Amrita, may the Lord keep you safe. And may your doggie get better.
Love,
Doris
Dear friends I thank all of you for talking to me.
Its so sad to see the sick, maimed and disabled being neglected and abused . People leave mental patients in government hospitals and don 't come back for them. The families of 5 men were located after several months and they were sent back after they got treatment.
Sandy, my dear my heart goes out to you and your son. Yes God is our healer. I have seen patients of severe bipolar depression and nuerotic people healed through prayer..
Many times mental disease is the result of a broken bruised spirit.
Dear Felisol, several years ago, we sheltered a mentally ill young girl when her own family were too scared of having her stay with them. We prayed for her and she was healed one day.
You are befriending this lady for the glory of God and He will bless you for it. May your friend be healed supernaturally.
We had a schezophrenic lady in our church, after recieving treatment she is much better, now she goes to the Pentecostal church.
I have posted an update about t he young man today
Amrita, in Poland is this same. People with mental diseases mostly can't work there anywhere. Many ill people doesn't have any education because of their illnesses. And I know, that more than half homeless people in Poland are mentally ill. There is no justice in this world.
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