From Still in the Stocks Room, to Breeding Goats and Broiler Chickens

PATI (21 August 2021) - Stigma against people with mental disabilities in Indonesia is still very strong. With this stigma, people with mental health disorders are isolated, which worsens their psychological condition.

In general, after the medical treatment improves and is sent home, there is no continuous good treatment by the family for them, thus hampering the recovery process.

The level of understanding related to care for people with mental disabilities, families and communities contribute to the recovery process, and vice versa, mishandling such as stocks, stigma and discrimination will increase relapse and new problems will surface.

This is what happened to Ismoyo, a former beneficiary of Social Rehabilitation Center Margo Laras Pati in the phase of life until now.

Before receiving the Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) service at Margo Laras, Ismoyo had been locked up for months because his mental condition was unstable at that time. Lack of information and access for treatment related to his mental health, made Ismoyo locked/stocks into a 1.5 x 1.5 meters trellis by his family, so that his body became stooped, unable to communicate in two directions and unable to provide feedback as a result of being languishing in the trellis.

Until a mental health volunteer, Bayu Setiyono from Klepu, Pringapus district, and the Community Health Center team visited and treated him and registered him at Margo Laras Center.

"Before entering Margo Laras, Ismoyo's condition was very passive, unable to socialize. Now, after undergoing rehabilitation for 6 months, Ismoyo is able to communicate and has a smiling expression on his face when he is escorted home by the Center’s officials," said Bayu, Chairman of the Pringapus Peduli Jiwa Association.

"Ismoyo also received ATENSI assistance in the form of goats from Margo Laras.

"The positive side is that Ismoyo is currently doing a lot of activities and socializing with the community. Another interesting thing is that he also shows his intention and responsibility to his two (2) children by working hard even though he has separated from his wife," concluded Bayu.