Nineteen patients are undergoing psychosocial treatment at the Psychosocial Recovery and Development in East Timor (PRADET) rehabilitation centre.
PRADET mental health program co-ordinator Anibal Idalino said patients at the clinic were given treatment for their physical and psychological symptoms before being transferred to Laclubar for intensive treatment.
“Here, patients recover mentally in terms of their concentration, communication, confidence and so on,” he said.
The centre provides activities such as meditation, counselling and sports as well as cooking, sewing, music and computer classes.
“Through the activities, they can express their feelings,” Idalino said.
He said some patients had seen positive change through the program and were communicating better with others and performing domestic tasks.
Patient Norberto Nascimento said he had learned useful things such as basic computer skills during his time at the rehabilitation centre.
“I am happy with the activities; it can wash away our past and I stand in front of you here and I will go back to my family healthy again,” he said.
Ministry of Social Solidarity Department for the Disabled and Aged chief Matias da Silva thanked PRADET for the opportunities it has given to those suffering from mental illnesses.
He said while his department did not have a specific policy concerning mental illness sufferers, it was in discussions with relevant institutions to do so.
Da Silva said treating sufferers was difficult because of a lack of mental health practitioners in Timor-Leste.
