Phulmaya’s Significant Recovery
Phulmaya Tamang, 50, lives in Katak-4, Nuwakot, with her husband, two sons, and a daughter. She had struggled with mental health issues for many years. She didn’t follow a daily routine; instead, she was severely distressed, isolated herself from everyone, and didn’t care about her hygiene or daily activities. She would frequently go missing from her home and turn up in a vulnerable state elsewhere. Her family sought treatment from several faith healers, believing her problem to be spiritual, but were unsuccessful. The family even considered abandoning her because they felt she was a burden and a liability.
While looking for help for Phulmaya, her sister came across KOSHISH and contacted them. Soon after, the KOSHISH team visited Phulmaya for observation. She was found to have poor hygiene and a critical mental health condition. Realizing the severity of her condition, Phulmaya was then transferred to an emergency care center for intensive health care.
During her initial days at the emergency care center, Phulmaya preferred to be left alone, had poor hygiene, and occasionally displayed signs of distress. Slowly in support of emergency care center staffs, she started maintaining her hygiene and cleanliness also receiving occupational therapy.
Phulmaya’s mental health gradually began to improve thanks to KOSHISH’s psychosocial services. She gradually began to vent her feelings to her psychologist. It was discovered that she had developed mental health issues as a result of her husband’s continuous domestic violence in the past. The psychologist listened to her with compassion and empathy. Gradually, Phulmaya began opening up to people around her. Her condition improved with proper care and support in the emergency care center. After three months in the emergency care center, Phulmaya was reintegrated with her family after significant improvement in her mental health was observed. During her reintegration, the KOSHISH team sensitized her family about mental health and psychosocial conditions, as well as how people suffering from them should be treated with care and emotional support to overcome mental health problems and also avoid potential relapses. The family was delighted to see Phulmaya engage in her daily routines and in better mental health after her return.
During a recent follow-up, KOSHISH outreach workers found her to be in improved mental health. She stated that her family, including her husband, has been supportive and compassionate toward her. She has begun to spend her spare time earning a living through crop farming and cattle rearing. We wish her all the best.
