After spending months or even years in a hospital, battling to overcome a mental health problem, stepping back into the outside world can be extremely daunting.
…stigma still exists, with some people objecting to patients living in their same block. That’s not Christian tolerance
Accustomed to the safety offered in hospital, many find it difficult to cope with rent, groceries and bills, to the extent that some end up living without essential items like a simple blanket or a heater to keep warm in winter.
Over the years, social workers, who visit mental health patients in the community, noticed that the help they need goes way beyond medical care. Last year, a new voluntary organisation was formed to help people living in the community cope with everyday problems such as buying essential items and learning how to budget.
Psychiatrist Joseph Vella Baldacchino is the president of the registered organisation, Lejn Xefaq Ġdid (Towards a New Horizon “Some people were at Mount Carmel Hospital for years before going back to the community. This is where the guilt complex kicks in. Were they living a better life than when they were in hospital?”
As in any other institution, the hospital provides everything, from free food and water to medication. But the minute patients step outdoors they have to face reality.
“When it comes to the nitty-gritty, the small daily problems, they might need help. They have to start paying their rent but might lack funds.
“They need to eat but may prefer smoking,” Dr Vella Baldacchino said.
The NGO tries to address such problems by raising money to help out with essentials.
So far, the organisation has helped several people put healthy food on their plate, and buy basic items such mattresses, fans, heaters, blankets and shoes. It also helped with rent deposits, a problem that keeps cropping up.
When patients are in hospital they do not always get benefits and when they leave it takes time to apply and start receiving the cheque. Yet, they are asked to place an advance deposit on rent, which they cannot afford. The NGO helps out and the patient pays back when s/he can.
The organisation also aims to raise awareness about mental health and make society more accepting.
“Unfortunately, stigma still exists with some people objecting to patients living in their same block. That’s not Christian tolerance,” Dr Vella Baldacchino noted.
Sonia Silvio, the Lejn Xefaq Ġdid’s activities coordinator, added that some people thought that mental health patients were lazy. In reality, their behaviour was a side effect of their condition.
Audrey Sciberras, a psychologist and the NGO’s secretary, added that medication often made patients gain weight. For this reason, the organisation dreamt of opening a gym for them in future.
Anyone who wishes to help can visit the blog http://lejnxefaqgdid.blogspot.com , send an e-mail to lejnxefaqgdid@gmail.com or call 7984 7605. Donations can be made to HSBC account number 078-137858-050 or BOV account number 400-19953-328.