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,

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