Care & Support of the Mentally Distressed

During our regular “ Welcome Center Session “ we asked some of our clients and carers about the factors that facilitate participation and that encourage them to express themselves. 

They thought in order for participation to work properly, they need to have a group of likeminded people. Regular communication with organization staff reminded them to participate in the activities, it also provided them with emotional support and a sense of belonging. They also thought the good relations with other group members also motivated them to participate in different activities like community events, rallies, marathons, picnics and other social events. 

In order to further stimulate the discussion, we also showed them a set of selected pictures and asked them about participation. Different nine pictures were displayed and they were asked to share their opinions on them. Some pictures for eg: showed Chhahari social workers visiting home to get updates on the client's situation; training of taking/giving medicines to the client; social events like fundraiser concert where a client also performed for the guests and going on a picnic, etc. group of pictures were shown and the interaction was conducted 

They said following things were important: 

1. Group unity 
2. Instrumental (practical) support 
3. Sense of belonging 
4. Interaction with staff/community members 
5. Family support/ sharing gendered caring roles (mostly female as a carer, socially constructed gender role) 
6. Create opportunity to attend social events and give preference for people suffering from mental health problems 

Some carers also shared their experience of finally receiving the social security card for their relatives with chronic mental health problems. It was a long participation process, going from one government office to another with disappointments many times, lack of proper support and facilitation from the government staff who were themselves unaware or apathetic. The intimidating questioning from the government staff taught them to be brave and fight their way to accessing their rights. They are now able to advise others as well if necessary about the process of accessing the card. It took them several years to get the card and ultimately they have started to receive some allowances that have brought them some economic relief. 

Some quotes: 

“ The government officials looked at my son and said he looked fine, he has no physical disability even though I provided years of his medical history” Female, Carer. 

“ I spent years participating in this process with my son, now that he has started to receive his allowances his father goes to collect the funds with him. I wished being a father he could have participated during the process” Female, Carer.