Family supports of a schizophrenia patients at Rumah Berdaya Denpasar
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Abstract
Family plays a significant role for psychosis patients especially in preventing relapse and maintaining mental health. However, limited research explores in which way and how a family can support schizophrenic people, particularly from patients and parents??? perspectives. This research aimed to examine the role of family for supporting schizophrenic patients. A case study design with a semistructured interview technique was applied to nine people diagnosed with schizophrenia and two caregivers at Rumah Berdaya Denpasar: a psychosocial rehabilitation for schizophrenic people. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The result of this research indicated that family as the closest unit can support people living with schizophrenia to improve mental health by helping them to get access of medical treatment, provide care and support: emotional, financial and instrumental.
The Schizo Friend Project has been one of the successful projects in achieving its intended results and has the potential for sustaining in the future. The team collaboration and ownership of the project among the parties involved is exemplary. There is strong collaboration between a Medical Doctor and his team of volunteers, the artist and his team and the Government authorities and their commitment to address the health situation and the discrimination and social stigma faced by the people with schizophrenia. The projects has a clear strategic thinking and planning for its sustainability as it is involving the clients in the income generation activities, and sharing the profit with them, operating (though recently started) motorcycle washing center to generate income, reaching out to private donors for support (both cash and kind) and coordinating with government to acquire the rehab center building, drinking water facility, transportation for the clients and commitment to provide fund from the government budget allocation in the coming years. Further, the appreciation it received from the family members and the clients themselves and a few clear examples of transforming individual’s lives are highly encouraging. Considering the length of the initiative, these achievements are immense and has a potential to continue in the future too.
