Care & Support of the Mentally Distressed

Sita is a charming 37-year-old who is not afraid to speak her mind. She likes to wear makeup, beautiful clothes, jewellery and always makes an effort to look nice.  

When her family realized Sita was suffering from mental health problem, and were under the impression that marriage would cure her. While married and living away from the family home for one year her condition was somewhat stable. However, she contracted typhoid and after receiving medication for such her condition worsened and she became violent and started to roam undressed in the streets. Sita’s partner and his family were neither supportive or compassionate when her mental state declined, rather, they were ashamed. The marriage was broken off and Sita moved back into her family home.  

After few years her mental condition deteriorated as a result of stress over her brother’s disability. She has always been very close with her brother. Her brother was paralyzed after falling from a tree at his place of employment, rendering him immobile and incapable of independently caring for himself. At this time she became violent and her family, unaware of how to deal with her, tied her to a chain-link fence outside of the home.

Sita’s  family sought the help of traditional healers. The family, unaware of how to support Sita, and under the impression she was incapable of any level of recovery, contacted Chhahari with the request of ‘taking her away’. With the support and knowledge passed on by Chhahari the family was able to make an informed, and humane, decision regarding the care of Sita. 

For the past 4 years Chhahari has been supporting Sita and her family. With the support from Chhahari her treatment started and she has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder . She now works as a part-time cleaner at a local school earning approximately 3000 rupees/month( 40 USD). Her medication costs are approximately 1500 rupees/month( 20 USD) , sometimes more. 

Last year on 1^st of April her brother passed away and since then she is finding very difficult to cope. Now, due to lockdown she has not been able to continue her work as a result  her mental state deteriorated  and subsequently relapsed twice this month. She is now admitted in Patan Mental Hospital, Nepal’s only government Mental Hospital. Chhahari has been continuously supporting Sita and  providing service; arranging for warm food deliveries for both Sita and her mother. Also, continuously in contact with her doctor and providing support during this crisis time. Sita says  "During this difficult time Chhahari family remembered and cared and found ways to provide hot meals for me and my mother. I just wish Chhahari family can come and visit me frequently as I miss having conversation”.