Bring Mental Health Care to Cambodians

A man, 30 years, sitting alone on the pitiable bed under an abandoned house with no cover. He is strong and energized, with both legs were chained and attached to the pillar of the house. His mother decided to lock him up by chain because she concerned about the dangers caused by his violent behavior. He has been chained for five months ago.

When you look at a behind side of the house, we see a small room that is constructing almost finished. The shocking news is that this room was donated by relatives to build this room for lock him up.

He had a serious mental illness more than three years ago after a motorcycle accident. His initial signs and symptoms include ran away, red eyes, poor insight, talking alone, poor sleeping, headache, waving his head, laugh without reason, restless behavior and holding a stick in his hand.

At that time, he pulled his mother to crash the car for being died together. Meanwhile his mother took him to the provincial hospital and some traditional healers, but did not recover. His family felt hopeless for recovery and has no alternative besides they locked him up for safety.

The villagers were terrified of his aggressive behavior because he had a stick in his hand. Finally, the mother decides to chain him with the support from her neighbors.

After he has received treatment from TPO operation unchain project for 16 months, he recovered, and his mother and villagers decided to release him during the traditional Khmer New Year.

The villagers no longer feel afraid of him and express their joy for his recovery. His mother expressed her gratitude to TPO that helped her son recover from his mental health condition and she thanked generous individuals who donate for the mission to save mentally ill patients who are locked up or chained.