Hospital Sentosa

One of the few things i did which gave me satisfaction this one week break is visiting Hospital Sentosa today.


yeah i went there for my monthly checkup
yeah, i went with a few other people. As a start, we were being explained of what mental illness is. Which basically means mental disturbances. There were 6 types;

• Schizophrenia -- the majority ppl admitted there has this
  
• Bipolar Affective Disorder
• Depression -- mild, moderate, severe
• Substance Abuse Psychosis -- usually drugs
• Mental Retardation
• Organic -- caused by growth, tumour, consuption of alcohol...

What I like to share about this is that, I was surprised that the patients there are pretty much like you and me; needing care, concern, attention and a listening ear. There was a patient in the female ward (altogether there were 8 wards) who started crying when we left and saying profusely to everyone, "Thank you for coming to visit us." Sometimes, we ourselves forget such a simple act of gratitude.

Another is that, under care and constant medication, they are very normal people. They can talk to you normally and some are really talented in music and in speaking especially. There are law practitioners and medical students, and most speak really really good English. I can't explain in full the experience, but the main point here is, making up society, we have to erase the social stigma. The social stigma that crazy--as we call it-- people are a threat, that they are not normal and that they are not worth our time. Seriously, i think these are all assumptions we made from watching movies. There are no patients rocking up and down, dressed in white, mumbling to himself, with shrewd hair and manic- wandering eyes, not even in the forensic ward(where those who have killed stay in). They have therapy and treatment for that. Maybe, the 1st thing we can do on our parts are to stop saying things like;
"What's wrong with you, that's wrong. Crazy ar?"
"Are you crazy?"
"Sudah gilakah, pergi Batu 7 lah."
Without realising it, this contributes to social stigma.

So, some may question, if the patients aren't dangerous, why aren't they released? There are many reasons and these I know for sure. First, naturally, those in the forensic ward are sentenced to life there. Second, some of them are taught first to be independent and when they are stable, they are allowed to live life free. Third, some have lost their family members (either to death or worse, having been disowned) and would rather stay on in the hospital, which they can call home.

Think that's too many words to swallow already, so, make an effort to find out more, and pray for the patients and those caring for them. Ending with something I found accurately placed by the Matron there;


"Contrary to popular belief, the patients here are not dangerous or violent. I think it is safer for you to come here and visit with them, than to talk a walk at Kuching Waterfront."


HAH!