Laxmi’s (name changed) fish pickles are a rage. Her memory of people she met is phenomenal. She has been one of the oldest students at Suman, a research and rehabilitation centre run by a registered trust of parents, doctors, and teachers for mentally challenged women. Now, she is scripting a one-act play for the International Women’s Day on March 8. Her friend Parvati (name changed) is a quieter sort. A regular at Suman, she comes with her mother, Susheela, to the centre by bus and spends the day painting.
The originBoth women are lucky. Their families tackled the social stigma and ensured them a platform to express their talents. “The centre was started by Valsa Manoli, a psychiatrist, after a visit of the ageing parents of a patient, a young girl. They asked the doctor if she could kill the girl. They were worried what would happen to her after they died,” Usha P.M., a teacher with the centre since its beginning, says.
Founded in 1997, Suman has had it tough. It had, over the years, survived on donations and abysmal government aid — a solitary grant of Rs.2 lakh in 1998 for a bookmaking machine. In return, the centre could help 116 mentally challenged women find a place in society and their own family circles. On Monday, the students will move to a new building — the result of public donations and local good will. But Suman may be an exception.
K.K. Mony, secretary, State Orphanage Control Board, says private care homes are usually a “dumping ground” of mentally challenged persons. “There are only three government-run long stay homes for mentally ill women in the State. An inquiry is on into the working of private homes. So far we have only found 76 private homes which meet the required medical and care standards,” Mr. Mony said.
Fatal illnessA study by the Kerala Mental Health Authority says that without timely intervention, mental illness in women may be fatal. It says 15 per cent cases of suicide are due to mental illness in the State. “Even the government’s system of benefits is skewed. If a person says 7+3 is 10, the system says he is normal. Only those with above 50 per cent disability are eligible for benefits,” Pushpa K.A., a lawyer and office-bearer of Suman, said.
But V.N. Jithendran, Social Justice Director, argues that the government can never don the role of a care provider. “We have limits. Civil society should take the initiative to set up homes and the government machinery can be used to regulate these homes. That’s the best mechanism,” he said. Besides, the fate of a government home would depend on the officer in charge. “If he is not a dedicated and sensitive person, we will be doing more harm than good. Mentally ill persons require long-stay homes and medication or they run the risk of relapse,” he said.
