Together we can change

by Indeewara THILAKARATHNE

One of the fascinating aspects of the transition at NIMH is that the sea change that has been brought about in both physical and perceptional landscape transforming the hospital to one of the premier institutions in Asia for caring persons with psychiatric disorders

The partnering business community with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Angoda in providing employment opportunities for persons with psychiatric disorders and in marketing goods that have been produced by the inmates of NIMH is a timely move to tap the pool of human resources dormant in Sri Lanka in general and at NIMH in particular.

The program titled "Together we can change" which was launched recently at NIMH on the "Open Day" was masterminded by the NIMH in collaboration with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and the Business for Peace Alliance (BPA), a network of regional Business Chambers.

Changes

Apart from the fruitful program which enlightened the participants on the enormous potentials of the inmates at NIMH and on the exquisite goods they had manufactured which already attracted prospective corporate and individual buyers, it demonstrated the physical and perceptional changes that have been made at NIMH over the years. With the very change of name to National Institute of Mental Health and the vast improvements it had made in physical environment, inmates' welfare and services offered have not only made a sea change in the perception of NIMH but also earned it quality awards.

Well-maintained gardens with blooming flowers and greenery around the wards, bright and radiant interior with much improved humane care, has drastically changed the environment which was earlier referred to as infamous `Lunatic Asylum at Angoda' to a pleasant homely environment. The credit of the improvements should go to NIMH's dynamic Director Dr. Jayan Mendis, its dedicated team of doctors and the staff.

Exquisite goods by the inmates

The mini-exhibition held concurrent to the program displayed the high quality range of products by the inmates which have found ready markets in leading department stores in Colombo. The well-equipped Training Department of the Institute helps impart required skills to inmates to manufacture handicraft and them to be engaged in cottage industries. Apart from generating an income, the activities have a definite therapeutic effect on the inmates and in the long run restore their self-worth and integrate them into society as productive citizens. The Training Department has both facilities and space to produce goods of highquality catering to specific market requirements. An important aspect of the on-going program is providing employment for inmates at NIMH in industries. The inmates travel daily to their places of work under the care of the staff.

The representatives from the commercial establishments such as Ceylon Paper Sacks, Ultra Kleen, cleaning Services expressed their utmost satisfaction of the inmates who have been employed at their establishments and the tremendous progress they have achieved and highly appreciated their contribution to the companies.

NIMH's Director, Dr Jayan Mendis, Consultant Psychiatrists Dr Pushpa Ranasinghe and Dr. Ganeshan have made presentations on the care and improvements that NIMH made over the years and urged the business community to employ the inmates who have proved their mettle as efficient and honest workers.Spelling out the mission and the vision which guide the Institute, they emphasised that provision meaningful occupation, and employment facilitate the process of social integration the inmates while reducing financial burden on their respective families in making them productive citizens.

They also urged the business community to take the lead in reducing stigma and raising awareness on mental health as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Profitable brainstorming session

The brainstorming session yielded profitable ideas from the participants who represent diverse segments of the population. It has been pointed out that media can play a catalyst role in de-stigmatisation and change social perception of persons suffering from mental illness through well-mapped out vigorous media campaigns to raise awareness on the issue and to promote and encourage employment of persons with mental illness in production of goods and in industries.

The fact has also been stressed that hospital should network with media in order to achieve long term success in its effort to reduce the stigma and facilitate integration of persons with psychiatric disorders into mainstream society.Stigma and fear of mental illness, reluctance in getting involved in medication due to negative perception of Angoda, separating persons with mental illness from the rest of the society, inadequacy of qualified supportive staff, opportunities, financial instability of projects, lack of raw material for production at hospital, ability to maintain quality are some of the issues that have been raised at the session.

Issues of quality control, negative attitudes on the part of employers and co-workers, mobility of workers to the places of work and falling sick at places of work or causing problems have also been identified as stumbling blocks on the part of effective rehabilitation and integration of persons with psychiatric disorder into the mainstream society.

The areas where the improvements have to be made are being spelled out as training of hospital staff, transport for inmates, supportive staff. It has been suggested as a solution to link up the hospital with Apeksha Home for training and learning.

The negative attitudes towards inmates can be overcome by the application of `contact theory'. Making substantial investments in the horticulture project which has been successfully carried out at NIMH and providing material for production of goods will also increase institution's capacity to generate employment opportunities for the inmates.

The 'Open Day' programme at NIMH has been an eye opener for the corporate sector which can effectively harness human resources at NIMH. It is obvious from the mini-exhibition held and the sentiments expressed by the employers of the inmates' abilities that there is a reservoir of human resources that corporate sector can tap, facilitating and integrating persons with psychiatric disorders into mainstream society and enabling them to make a contribution to the economy in their specific ways.