Putting St Ann’s patients back into society

A visitor to the facility observing the orchard at front with mango and orange trees, and the cream two-storey building, and quiet atmosphere of the place could easily believe it is a retreat.

This view would be accurate. The building once served as a Holy Ghost Missionary. The commemorative stone on the wall at the main entrance was unveiled in 1965 by then Archbishop Count Finbar Ryan. In the 1970s the property was handed over to the Health Ministry but only recently has attention been given to improving conditions as the Health and Social Development Ministries have embarked on a vagrancy programme. The Arima Rehabilitation Centre underpins the Health Ministry’s plans to decentralise mental health care and decant patients from St Ann’s Hospital.

In an interview during a visit to the facility on July 10, Ramesh Seeraj, the nurse manager at the facility said there were 53 patients currently being accommodated, including the 19 recently sent from St Ann’s Vagrancy ward. Sixty patients can be housed at the facility.

Seeraj said the patients are on medication to maintain their stable status. He said, “The rehab is here to teach them social skills for placement back in the community.”

Mentally ill people are stereotyped by society although those affected come from all walks of life.

Seeraj said there are ex-clerical officers, and even an ex-attorney at the facility.

Vocational training is offered in agriculture, home economics, arts and crafts (eg floral arrangement) and activities in daily living. He said plantain, silk figs, peas and corn were cultivated. Most of the male patients are involved in agriculture. Seeraj said a home economics class taught patients to prepare “small meals” for themselves and a literacy class was also introduced by staff and takes place twice weekly.

He said the Occupational Therapy Aide from the Occupational Therapy Department, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), taught handicraft and organised a bingo-day for patients. A social evening is held on a Saturday.

On the day Newsday visited, several of the patients were out on a field trip to the Asa Wright Nature Centre, Blanchisseuse. Trips, open days, sports are other activities that are encouraged.

Seeraj said, “A few patients work in the community.” There are Arima residents who request patients for odd jobs and some are requested regularly. The patients are paid for their labour.

Seeraj said two patients work in an agriculture shop, four sell newspapers, another has a bush cutter and offers his services in the community.

Seeraj said one patient who worked as a domestic has been able to purchase her own blender, microwave, television and DVD. A social worker is trying to help her find her own home.

“We have another patient doing a computer course in preparation for employment” he noted.

Seeraj said the length of time patients spend at the centre will vary. He said their functional level is assessed to determine their placement outside. Having skills, a job and home to go to are determinants in their release into society, “so they could be self-sufficient and make a meaningful contribution to their lives,” he said. A doctor is consulted to give a final determination when patients get steady jobs. Seeraj said more mental health officers are needed to monitor them.

He estimated that 60 percent of the patients at Arima can be reintegrated into society while others need more rehabilitation. About ten percent have contact with their families.

Seeraj said some patients have been at Arima for many years because they have no next of kin or limited family support. He said a grant of $15,000 has been made available by Social Development as an incentive to get relatives to take care of patients.

The grant is to cover the cost of the construction of a room for the patient. Seeraj said additional funding is available through the Housing Development Company. The Arima Rehabilitation Centre has undergone electrical and plumbing renovations. The roof has been changed, and refurbishment of the upper floor of the building has allowed the addition of 23 beds for male patients. Seeraj said only a limited number of patients can be housed because of limited space.

He said the facility has an isolation room for patients who do not comply with the rules of the home -no drugs and alcohol or food prepared outside the facility. Patients cannot leave the compound without permission, and a daily client census keeps track of them. They must return by 7 pm.

Seeraj said patients are reminded to maintain grooming and hygiene. He said, “They are being cared for and we don’t want them looking unkempt.”