CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 91

Ellington said he had received complaints that police personnel were neglecting their duties by not responding to such incidents. but the answer is not institutionalisation. When I asked if it is the best option, she responded saying, “Absolutely not!” “Future complaints of the police’s failure to effectively deal with reports against mentally disordered persons will attract the harshest sanction, where the report is confirmed,” he warned. She, however, conceded that an individual who is acutely ill needs to be in hospital. Cost of stigma Mental Health Officer Rose stated that these individuals are able to live normal and independent lives, but stigma and discrimination challenge the process. She also concurred with Irving’s point that individuals with schizophrenia do well with family support. “People call them mad and just don’t want to have anything to do with them. However, education and awareness will help to eliminate stigma and discrimination, which is the main challenge they encounter. Some persons are quite functional and can live on their own. They are able to live a normal life, get married, have children and go on about their daily business.” “This person is very sick and may be violent. Sometimes they are sick to the point where they are a threat to themselves and other persons. In that case the person needs to be in hospital, but only until they are stabilised, then they are returned to their communities.” She advised that the aim is to reduce stigma and discrimination. “If you institutionalise these individuals, you are just going to be adding fury to it. Persons are already of the view that [such individuals] should only be in a particular place [mental facility]. You want the person in the community functioning so that community members can actually accept them; this person is mentally ill, but he/she is still quite capable.”  Family support is also vital. “We even have persons who are going to colleges [but] they are on their medication. That is the key component. They need to educate themselves about the condition; they need to be aware of the condition. They need to be aware of the medication. They need to be aware of help …” she said. Rose further outlined that it is understandable that families with mentally ill relatives are affected, 87