Social affairs minister calls for mental health support
MINISTER of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation Chea Somethy has urged the relevant authorities and their partner organisations to pay closer attention to supporting people who are experiencing mental illness, in order to reintegrate them into their communities.
He issued the call during a February 13 visit to the mental health rehabilitation centre in Barkou village and commune, in Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district.
He added that thanks to the excellent treatment provided by the centre’s staff and their partner organisations, many of the patients at the centre have returned to their families. He noted that some of them required ongoing care at their family homes.
“I commend our staff for providing such good care to the mentally unwell. I ask that they continue to work with local authorities and partner organisations to help people recover and return to their communities and families,” he said.
He added that on the eve of Valentine’s Day, it was more important than ever for the public to be aware of mental health issues, and not discriminate against people who are experiencing them.
According to Dom Rattanak Udom, director of the rehabilitation centre, said that at present the facility is treating 267 patients, 105 of them women. An additional 23 people, nine of them women, are receiving further care at home.
“Accommodation at the centre is organised by gender and the severity of their illness, which is based on a diagnosis by medical specialists. New arrivals are placed in a separate room so we can monitor them,” he explained.
He also noted the need for more qualified staff, particularly psychiatrists, as the number of people diagnosed with mental health issues appeared to be increasing.
Somethy agreed to the request, and also suggested that more coordinated efforts be made to offer rehabilitation.
The centre was officially inaugurated in September 2019 by former Minister of Interior Sar Kheng. It was established to provide accommodation, treatment, counselling and rehabilitation to people experiencing mental health problems, with the ultimate goal of reintegrating them back into the community.
The centre provides several rehabilitation, vocational and life skills programmes, including sewing, agriculture and beautician courses, as well as literacy and drawing classes, in addition to offering counselling.