Many patients abandoned at Mental Health Dept facilities

Hundreds of psychiatric patients have ended up becoming permanent residents at the Mental Health Department’s facilities as their families have abandoned them. 

“Some have been staying in the psychiatric ward for 30 to 40 years,” department director general Jedsada Chockdamrongsuk said yesterday.

He explained that some of these patients had, in fact, recovered and could return to normal life, but nobody came to pick them up. Hence, he said, it was time for families, and society as a whole, to come together and help people with mental disorders. 

“Don’t hurt their dignity. There is no need for sympathy. Just give them opportunities,” he said, adding that with proper treatment and regular medication, these patients could start leading normal lives. 

He said many of these patients could work on farms or run errands for monks. 

“They could also pick up skills like weaving flower garlands,” he said. 

He also advised family members and neighbours to avoid reprimanding or getting angry with former psychiatric patients because the pressure could worsen their symptoms. 

“The best formula is for them to receive 70 per cent of the care from hospitals and the rest from families and communities,” he said. 

 

‘Far too many need help’

Jedsada said more than a million people sought treatment from his department’s medical facilities per year. 

“Some have even shown up without any identification.” He said there were about 500 patients at different government mental-health treatment facilities.  

For instance, he said, Srithanya Hospital has about 114 patients this year, while the Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry has more than 100 under its care, in addition to those in several other facilities under the Mental Health Department. 

“We can’t locate their relatives,” he said. 

Jedsada said his department had no choice but to move some satisfactorily recovered patients to the Department of Social Development and Welfare. 

“We are trying to identify the exact cause of why these patients are abandoned and exploring solutions,” he said.