E-Paper
Mentally ill need rehab after treatment
There is a need for rehab facilities in addition to the bio-medical treatment that the institutions for mentally ill offer.
We met Ruhi (name changed) at the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital in Agra, one of the 36 institutions for the mentally ill in India. Our first meeting was in a dilapidated room with a fan hanging down from the high ceiling and a 100-watt bulb attached to the side of a plug board.
She seemed shy and gave us a broad smile when we tried to confirm her name. Most noticeable feature was lustreless eyes on her face that looked aged way beyond the 22-years that she was. Her dilated pupils conveyed inexplicable fear for the encounter with us.
We were sitting in the female psychologist's room. The room was situated in a small building, which also had a single cell lockup, (with iron bars and a huge lock), for those patients who become violent.
This building was opposite to the doctor's clinic. A colossal wall surrounds the ward area with an equally intimidating brown gate for entry and exit. Many women have not seen the world beyond the gigantic walls -- some for over a year while some others for over 40 years (since the 1960's according to official records). Officially there are over 7,000 people in the 36 hospitals who have been staying for more than two years.
We spoke with Ruhi, trying to make her feel comfortable. She couldn't make up her mind if she wanted to talk to us or not. First she said yes followed by an immediate left and right movement of the head.
