17 Oct 2016

Every village has at least one and so are some of the busiest malls and streets.
Hopping from street to street or asking donations from the good Samaritans has become their common identity.
Ordinarily shunned, mocked, abused and called some of the unpalatable names ever, people with mental disorders are commonly subjected to harsh treatment.
Some rarely take a bath and as such ooze odours of uncleanliness, which is enough to attract social wrath, said a retired psychiatric nurse at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse, Ms Gladness Moikabi in an interview recently.
“We should treat them as family not outcasts, we must respect their needs, listen to them, understand and learn to hear them out,” said the 76-year-old retired nurse.
She says misconception about those with mental disorders has killed their self-esteem and they lack hope to hold onto during their predicament.
Throughout her 22 years of service at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital, Ms Moikabi has seen and heard the most unspeakable treatment of the mentally challenged.
On daily a basis, lots of stories on mistreatment of mental disorder patients would pile at her desk, each story she knew was another high mountain to climb for the patient to recover.
“They need us to restore their hope, instead we do the opposite, we crush them, reduce their worth, we make them feel useless and feel responsible for the situation they are encountering,” she said.
Therefore, majority of such patients feel dejected and isolated just because of their health status, yet like everyone they want to be loved and respected, she said.
Being friendly softens the feelings of mental illness patients and they begin to develop trust and regain hope, which is a sure way of getting better.
“Lack of patience towards the patients and failing to respect them only aggravates their situation,” she pointed.
“If they learn that someone is pushing them away, their feelings are hurt and they lose hope,” she emphasised.
Like any unwell person, people with mental disorders need encouragement and inspiration and proper care should be taken to ensure that they have taken their medication, bathed, eaten and are decently dressed.
She added that it is important to build trust with them so that they can communicate their emotions.
Further, Ms Moikabi said causes of mental disorders could be due to generic factors, depression, and drugs abuse among others.
It is because of the realisation that mental patients are faced with so many challenges that October 10  has been designated World Mental Health Day whose overall objective is raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilising efforts in support of mental health.ENDS