Out of the dark

Why keep mental illness a secret? Sahanaya opens the closet doors

by Aditha Dissanayake

Sure, it is a good thing to look after your body. But, even as you jog several miles a day or cut down on the sweets and the fatty food, don't forget about your mind. Your mind too needs just as much looking after as that bulging waistline.

It is no secret that life is full of changes, risks and challenges and that good mental or emotional health helps us find our balance and stay in control, even during turbulent times. But what do we do if we are not mentally fit enough to deal with life's ups and downs?

The good news is every mental illness can be treated. But where, and by whom? By psychiatrists and healthcare providers at the spacious institute on Kitulwatta Road, Borella, where the surrounding itself lives up to the name of the organization, Sahanaya, the National Council for Mental Health.

Admitting that in spite of the advances in the medical sciences in the last 20 years which have greatly improved our ability to help those who suffer from mental illnesses, we lack an effective system for administering care, the President of Sahanaya, Professor Nalaka Mendis, says knowledge often stalls short of reaching the patients.

Mental illnesses continue to be stigmatized, and, as the services provided by the public sector are not satisfactory, Sahanaya has tried to do its best to fill the gap in looking after patients suffering from mental disorders.

Stressing on the importance of therapeutic measures being in consonance with the locally prevailing cultural trends Professor Mendis further states that the staff at Sahanaya is alert to these cultural factors when interpreting the symptoms and behaviours of the mentally ill.

This is so, because unlike physical illnesses, the manifestations and outcomes of mental illnesses are bound by cultural factors and at times the methods adopted by Western countries may not suit our society.

Established in 1982 in a small garage in Rosmead Place, and having recruited volunteers through a simple advertisement in the newspapers, twenty-five years later, talking about the feats of Sahanaya in his own words, Ape Keruwawa, Dr. Ranjith Cabral says Sahanaya has focused on making the public more aware of how our mental and physical health affect each other.

Setting aside time to focus on mental health is important because by practising mind and body fitness, you can nurture your mind, body and spirits in a positive and enjoyable way.

Statistics reveal one in four families in Sri Lanka has someone with a mental illness and in general 1% - 2% suffer from serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and manic depression.

Sahanaya provides clinical services through psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors to these patients as well as tailored rehabilitation programmes for clients suffering from disabilities associated with long term mental illness including social care, family and domiciliary support.

The organization also plays a pivotal role in creating public awareness of mental health issues through comprehensive campaigns as well as conducting mental health training programmes for students of all health related disciplines and professionals requiring further training, which includes an accredited counselling course.

Celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year, Sahanaya has organized a series of activities beginning with an exhibition titled "Past, Present and Future" from 27 to 28 February as well as the staging of Mother Courage and her Children, at the Lionel Wendt, sponsored by HSBC, proceeds of which will go to the organization.

Other events lined up for the year include Division Based Community Mental Health progarmmes, Publication of the book, Reflections, an Advocacy Forum and an Arts Competition for Children.

Realizing it is neither wise nor feasible for a large proportion of the population to be trying to keep a secret, Sahanaya will continue to reach out to the people to eradicate the stigma attached to mental health and to prove a healthy mind equals a life fulfilled.

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Descriptions like "crazy," "nutty" "pissa" "moley honda na" are just a few examples of words that keep the stigma of mental illness alive. These words belittle and offend people with mental health problems.

Many of us use them without intending any harm little realizing that just as we wouldn't mock someone for having a physical illness like cancer or heart disease, it is cruel to make fun of someone with a mental illness.

Mental illness in the media

People with mental disorders are, many times, not described accurately or realistically in the media. Movies, television and books often present people with mental illnesses as dangerous or unstable.

News stories sometimes highlight mental illness to create a sensation in a news report, even if the mental illness is not relevant to the story. Advertisers use words like "crazy" to convey that their prices are unrealistically low and to suggest the consumer can take advantage of them.

You can help change the way mental illness is talked about in the media by speaking up.

If you see something in the media which might cause harm to people with mental disorders, call or write to the writer or publisher of the newspaper, magazine, the radio, TV or movie producer; or the advertiser who used words which add to the misunderstanding of mental illness.

Help them realize how their words affect people with mental illness.