Let's talk life: Dealing with my abused son

Yvonnie Bailey- Davidson, Contributor

Dear Counsellor:

My son suffers from schizophrenia and was recently beaten by members of his community. He becomes aggressive at times and this triggers the behaviour of the people.

- Maureen

Dear Maureen:

Unfortunately, many community members tend to become angry towards the mentally ill. Community leaders need to educate the people about mental illness. Usually if the patient takes his medication, he will remain well. However, some patients have to be on the home-visiting programme. In this programme, the mental-health officers visit the patients' homes, and give them the injection every month. The family and the community need to be monitoring the patient to detect early signs of relapse.

Some early signs of relapse are irritability, withdrawn and odd behaviours. As soon as the patient is noticed to be deteriorating, he should be taken to the nearest hospital or health facility. What is needed in the early stages is an increased dosage of the medication and an injection. Taking the patient for a review of his medication is the key to prevent further relapse.

Of course, the patient is usually uncooperative as he does not see anything wrong with himself. Patients are not aware of their illness and often they will stop taking the medication when they are relapsing. Taking care of people who lack understanding of what is happening is not easy.

Sometimes the family gets frustrated and puts the patient out the door, and then the patient is attacked by members of the community. Many patients need to be in an institution for a long time. When patients are admitted to facilities, the families need to visit them often, as well as the community members. Patients in institutions are humans too and need to be treated as such. Many patients relapse often because they are non-compliant with the medication. If you have someone in your house who is mentally ill, you need to supervise that individual closely. You need to see that he/she keeps his/her clinic appointments and take his/her medication. Keep in touch with the nurse who you see at the clinic or who visits the patient. You need to ask for help if you need to take him/her to the hospital. Every clinic or hospital can offer help to a sick person. Remember that mental illness is a sickness, and the person needs treatment regardless of what they may be saying. Patients have rights and responsibilities and relatives need to provide information that will assist the team to make a treatment decision.

We need corporate Jamaica and citizens to collaborate in the management of patients. Goods and services are always needed, and we need to accept that some humans need to be in institutions.

Patients on the street need to be in care and protection. If we work together, then no one needs to be on the street, dirty and aggressive. Each person can make a difference in someone's life. Many poor mothers have their sons sick and at home, being aggressive, and mothers cannot sleep or go to work. The families are in distress about their situation.

Let us join hands and help the sick.

Email questions and feedback for Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson to yvonniebd@hotmail.com or call 978-8602.