Bring Mental Health Care to Cambodians

TPO Cambodia- The Progress Report of Project Operation Unchain (POU)
1. The specific objective:

• To improve mental health and eventually free mentally ill patients who have been locked up due to their mental illness or due to the lack of access to appropriate treatment.

• Raise awareness of mental health issues in rural Cambodian communities and demonstrate that there are alternatives to chaining up family members struggling with severe and chronic mental illness.

2. Number of psychotic patients chained:

• 35 patients, 13 female and 22 male.

3. Area:

• Svay Reang province (4 patients),
• Takeo province (2 patients),
• Kampong Cham province (3 patients)
• Tboung Khmum province (2 patient)
• Battambang province (9 patients)
• Siem Reap province (3 patients)
• Kampong Thom province (5 patients)
• Kratie province (5 patients)
• Kandal province (2 patient)

4. Result: Of the 35 chained patients we found that all of the patients’ families had already taken them to see many traditional healers and to the public hospital in the country. However their symptoms persisted and often became worse to the point that they sometimes acted violently towards family members and the people around them. Most of the family members were poor and old, because they had sold their properties to pay for treatment for their children for many years. They felt upset and thought that this must be Karma and therefore nobody could help them. After receiving treatment from the Operation Unchained Project for almost 8 months, 8 patients were released from their chains by their family. This was because the family thought their children had improved and could take medication on their own. The families reported that their children had coherent speech, and were no longer violent. The parents and village authorities were very happy and they decided to release them. 6 patients were neglected by their families, and the level of improvement was very low. The project staff did psycho-education with the families and neighbours regularly, to educate them about how to help and take care of their mentally ill family member during the chaining period, especially the way of providing medications when they refused.  21 patients are now in treatment through the project and expected to consequently improve. All the previously chained patients need to continue the treatment for whole life. As the project has collaboration with Department of Mental Health, the previously chained patients will be referred to a nearby Health Centre or referral Hospital and the project will withdraw contact.
There are still many cases of chained individuals waiting for help from TPO. Their families contact by calling TPO’s telephone number.
5. Challenges

Some chronic patients are resistant to medicine and Some medicine prescribed is not available at mental health services of health centres or referral hospitals. This is a challenge for referral after they are released from chains.

*Please find case study (text & photo of beneficiary) of this project in attached file.

TPO Cambodia extends its sincere thanks to all who donated so generously to this project. This support will allow us to continue to treat more patients in the whole country.

• POU_Report__Operation_Unchained_Case_study_Dec_20151.pdf (PDF)