Bring Mental Health Care to Cambodians

Suong Mom, Female, 28 years, lives in Kampong Speu province, was sick for 8 years and was chained for 3 years.

She is orphan child. After getting married, she was pregnant and fall back and she has head injury. After delivery, she was sick. She had strange behavior, no insight even though her son she didn’t know. She could not sleep at night, yelling her husband, agitated, talkative, incoherent speech. When she met her husband, she made him harmful physically. Her husband brought her to see many traditional healers and expense a lot of money. Her husband brought her to see psychiatrist at Russian Hospital (National Hospital). She had got treatment at Russian Hospital for 3 years then she was better. Expense for her treatments for medical treatment and traditional healing made her family become poor.

After being better, she had got a job at garment factory. Later on she was relapsed and then medical treatment could not make her better. No hope for recovery and her behavior was very harmful for others especially children, as well neighbors’ suggestion, her husband with an approval from village authority decided to chain her. After being chained, she didn’t get treatment anymore. Her neighbors mentioned that they felt insecure with her. She damaged roof of the house, burn dress and expressed aggressive behavior.

When getting contact on TV screen (project coordinator was invited to be a guest speaker on TV regarding treatment for mentally ill patients who are locked up or chained), his husband contacted the project for getting treatment.

She was delivered from chained after getting treatment 3months. Her neighbors are very appreciated, joyful and excited for her improvement. She could cook for her husband and son.