Having to acknowledge that your own daughter requires a residential rehabilitation programme to treat her mental illness is no easy task, but sometimes it has to be done. Joanna* has been suffering from mental illness for the past 25 years. However, her father, Peter* has been constantly by her side, lovingly providing her support. He speaks to Therese Bonnici about the phenomenon of dealing with the challenges that illness brings with it.

 

Peter first noted that Joanna was feeling down more often than usual back when she was still eight years old. Eventually, when the situation persisted, he took her to see a psychiatrist, who diagnosed her with depression. At the time, Peter and Joanna’s mother separated, and Peter believed that she was feeling that way because she had difficulty coping with the situation. “At the time, I did not consider that this might evolve further. I thought she was simply going through a rough time, just like the rest of us, when dealing with major life changes, or loss.”

At a young age, Joanna had already encountered suicidal thoughts, and Peter and his family were warned to keep a close eye on her, because she could possibly harm herself.

As the depression and negative thoughts persisted, Joanna fell behind at school, having to repeat school grades. As a result, she started losing contact with friends she had made, and she found it difficult to trust new people. Others started gossiping behind her back, and she often ran home crying. “She was doing well at school, but she couldn’t handle other’s attitude towards her,” Peter said.

Sharing Joanna’s illness with his relatives was not as straightforward, given none of his family members had gone through something similar. “It is heartbreakingly painful and challenging to accept that your daughter is going through such a difficult time, particularly given I was doing my very best to provide all the love I possibly can.”  Up until today, Joanna is constantly on her father’s mind, irrelevant to what he’s doing or who he’s with.

The 35-year-old today lives independently in apartments shared with other clients of Richmond Foundation. However, her father contacts her every day, and they find the time to go for walks together. The two also attend weekly meetings at a local NGO.

At one point over the past years, Joanna had to be admitted to Mount Carmel and Villa Chelsea. This was particularly difficult for her father to accept – how would Joanna cope when she found herself in an unknown context, with people she never met in her life?

Joanna was 29 when she was admitted to Villa Chelsea. “I was concerned for her. I wanted to keep providing her a loving home environment. But I had no other choice; I had to follow the psychiatrist’s advice, with the hope that it will be for the best. I wanted to keep her safe under my wing, but she has to learn to live independently, because how else could she cope after I’m gone?”

Doctors might recommend residential programmes for patients dealing with mental illness; however relatives can choose to refute the suggestion. Peter also had the same dilemma when he was faced with such a doctor’s recommendation. “It was not easy to accept, however I had to acknowledge the face that she needed to learn certain skills to learn to live independently.”

“I am ready to give her my life for her to be happy. I pray to God to shift her illness onto me, and rid her of all the pain,” Peter says, warmheartedly.

 “Joanna is extremely courageous, and she is perfectly able to acknowledge her own feelings, and to take her own decisions. Despite not having enough self-belief, she is capable of leading life on her own. She is also very well organized, and responsible,” her social worker says.

“Unfortunately most people lead the idea that people suffering from mental illness are different than us. Of course, the mental illness has its effects and limitations – but these people are no less than the rest of us. They are well aware if you’re gossiping behind their back or trying to take them for a ride. Suffering from mental illness does not mean you are oblivious to what is going on around you. You are able to lead your own life –inevitably, with the limitations the illness imposes. Over the years, stigma has decreased. However misconceptions still prevail.”

Peter was more than willing to offer his support to his daughter. However, not all patients of mental health problems are as fortunate. The support of relatives is vital in such cases, and Joanna’s social worker states that part of Joanna’s improvement was thanks to the full support her father always gave her. If the family is not in a position to help out, others can offer the support. Richmond Foundation even received calls from people looking out for their neighbors.

Peter insists that relatives should seek help, and cooperate well with organizations willing to help. He has nothing but praise for the Richmond Foundation.

The social worker explains that looking for help earlier might help one progress at a more rapid rate, however, there are different factors that contribute to one’s improvement. She recommends that anyone having slight doubt should check it out.

 

*Names have been changed to protect identities

Richmond Foundation

 

In 2014, it was reported that around 30,000 Maltese citizens suffer from chronic depression – making up 6.6% of the entire population. The statistics reveal that the mental illness is twice as common in women as in men locally. Although, according to WHO, worldwide, it is more likely to impact men.  Mental and substance use disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide.

A comprehensive report has revealed that suicide kills one person worldwide every 40 seconds – it is the second leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 29.

For every death, there are many more people who try to kill themselves. Having attempted suicide is the biggest risk factor for dying by suicide at some point in the future. 

There lies a distinction between mental health and mental illness. Mental health is a state of well being – where one realizes his or her full potential and can work product fully and make a contribution to the community. Mental illness refers to a wide range of medical conditions which include depression anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.

When an individual experiences difficulty coping with certain events in life – such as loss- one is dealing with a mental health problem. Mental illness, on the other hand, can be clinical, chronic or repetitive.

“Until a few years ago, mental illness was completely taboo in Malta and the public led the misconception that residents at Mount Carmel are ‘locked up because they are dangerous’. The media plays a huge role – we have been exposed to one too many psychic villains in horror movies,” says Daniela Calleja Bitar, Operations Manager at Richmond Foundation.

Today awareness is growing, however stigma and discrimination against patients and families still prevents people from seeking mental health care. Patients are reluctant about being open about their condition, and often keep it hidden from their friends, colleagues and even family members.

Depression may be clinical; therefore as any other health condition, for example diabetes, it can be diagnosed and treated. 

Each year, around 400 people contact Richmond Foundation seeking help.  Mental illness does not discriminate - People of all ages and social standing may be impacted.

“Education about mental illness should start from a very young age. Children need to be educated about both physical and mental health. The same is applied for educators, who can pick up certain symptoms and guide them towards help.”

Richmond Foundation offers a structured rehabilitation programme at Villa Chelsea, which can take up to 12 residents at once. Some residents are taught basic skills which they might have lost, such as cooking skills, self-hygiene and financial management – others might be assisted to seek employment and educational courses. The programme offers the first step before one takes the plunge to live independently.

The foundation also offers monthly sessions for relatives of patients of mental illness, and question and answer sessions for patients themselves.

If you or your loved ones want to speak to a professional please call the foundation on 21224580.