Family support is one of the most important factors in recovery from mental illness, says Psychosocial Recovery and Development in East Timor (PRADET) mental health program co-ordinator Anibal Idelino.
He said without the support of sufferers’ families, there could be no solution to the issue of mental health, regardless of how much money the government spent.
“In some cases, the patient returns to the family but then they get sick again due to a lack of care from their families and the wider community,” he said.
PRADET was raising awareness of mental illnesses by conducting a door knocking campaign in the districts in which PRADET works (Aileu, Ainaro, Liquisa, Dili, Bobonara, Ermera, Baucau and Manatuto).
He said mental illness sufferers faced stigma and discrimination due to a lack of public knowledge of their disease, which often stemmed from past trauma.
Human Rights and Justice deputy ombudsman Silverio Pinto Baptista said it was the responsibility of all Timorese to help protect the rights of mental illness sufferers.
“Primarily the discrimination is coming from sufferers’ family members,” he said.
He called on all state and other relevant actors to take action.
Primary Health Care cabinet chief Alipio Gusmão said the Health Ministry intended to establish a mental health treatment facility within the national hospital.
He asked for support for the home visits program which aimed to identify mental health problems early.
“I call for everyone – government members, international and local NGOs – to support this mental health program as the causes of mental illnesses are biological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual,” he said.
Health Ministry data shows more than more than 19,000 people have been diagnosed with mental illnesses in Timor-Leste since 2002.
The World Health Organization has predicted depression will be the second leading cause of disability by 2020.
