DISABILITY INFO > Mental Impairment > Family reintegration after years on the streets
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Family reintegration after years on the streetsPurna, from Nepal, was reintegrated into her family and community after 25 years on the street due to mental illness.
Labelled 'crazy woman'
Purna was born 54 years ago in an orthodox Hindu family. She got married at the age of 12 and became the mother of three children. But her behaviour was slowly changing. She moved back to Nepal, but due to her developing mental illness she had difficulties finding her place in the local community. Her husband was at that time still working in India. She was indeed in the need of support and nourishment, but instead she felt that the neighborhood was against her. She was labeled as Bahaulai (a crazy woman).
Purna’s condition was worsening to the point where she became unable to care for and about the people around her. According to her relatives she remained in such a hateful condition for about fifteen years. Other people kept her at a distance, and believed that she was being punished for her previous life. As a result of her illness, her children lived like orphans instead of getting the care they needed.
In 2008, cbm partner Koshish heard that a so called 'crazy woman' was locked up in a Health Post. The woman was Purna, and she was in a heart wrenching condition. They went there as soon as possible and were able to bring her to Kathmandu for treatment, including both medicine and counselling. At the Lagankhel Mental Hospital she was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
In the first part of her treatment she showed no positive response to others. But slowly things started to change for the better. Following courses of medication and counselling - the Koshish 'three day awareness' program was influential - she was reintegrated into her family and community.
Now her husband is providing for her care, medication and emotional support. Purna is handling her daily household work and continuing with her mental health follow-up appointments which have proved that mental health problems are treatable. The destructive attitudes towards persons with mental health problems have changed in her community, and the extreme stigma has been challenged.
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