FAMILY SUPPORT CRITICAL FOR GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

I recently overheard one individual bashing out at health authorities for discharging their sister early from hospital despite being stable.

The individual concluded her unsavoury remarks by stating that those with mental illness should be kept in hospitals for life. For God sake the individual was talking of a biological sister!The thoughts above are simply a carbon copy of what happens in our society. Families indeed do not want to look after those with mental illnesses. They scorn them, hide them in peripheries, give them shelter in deplorable conditions and even banish them to the cattle posts whenever there are family events. To manage and promote mental health, family support is essential. The family offers love, empathy and non-judgemental attitude which are cornerstones towards recovery and avoidance of relapse.

The family in order to deal effectively with members suffering from mental illness need to learn about the condition the loved one is going through. Such undertaking is pivotal for a positive outcome as they will know how and when to render assistance. Patients and those diagnosed with mental illness need to be treated with respect and dignity as well focus on their strengths and forget about what they cannot do. Everyone has flaws even when he/she is not suffering from mental illness!

Ajit Avasthi notes in one article that “several studies have demonstrated that persons with schizophrenia in developing countries did well compared to western countries largely attributed to good family support these patients involved in developing countries.” This clearly demonstrates how family is vital in mental health promotion.

As posited by the late motivational speaker Dr. Myles Munroe, “the purpose of the family is to secure society: the sanctity of the family is the bedrock for human survival.” It is nigh we embrace one another for good mental health!