At St Giles Hospital, some patients with mental health issues have found themselves institutionalized for over 20 years due to a lack of family support. Acting Superintendent Dr. Sheetal Singh highlighted that societal stigma and family abandonment are significant barriers to the recovery process for these individuals.
Dr. Singh noted that some families have outright rejected their loved ones, leading to prolonged stays in the facility. She recounted a particularly poignant case where a patient’s community sent a formal notice to the hospital expressing their unwillingness to support him. This patient had a history of aggressive behavior during his illness but has since made a remarkable recovery. “Now he’s extremely well. He’s going around, he’s cleaning the compound,” Dr. Singh said, emphasizing his progress as he prepared for the visit of the assistant health minister, Penioni Ravunawa.
Relapses among patients are common when families do not assist in managing their medication and daily routines. “If the family is not ensuring they take their medications, they have good sleep hygiene, they have good appetite, then that person will come for frequent admissions,” Dr. Singh explained.
She also underscored the importance of the Mental Health Act 2010, which mandates that patients be cared for in the least restrictive environments possible. “We don’t admit as far as possible. We need to make sure that they are taken care of by the family,” she stated.
For long-term recovery, community support is essential, and fostering an inclusive environment can greatly benefit those struggling with mental health challenges. Addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging families to take an active role in their relatives’ care could lead to more positive outcomes and a reduction in the number of patients who remain in hospitals unnecessarily.
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