In Yemen, the long years of war, which led to the destruction of homes, loss of life and displacement of thousands, and the deterioration of economic and living conditions, has affected the mental health of people.
“People also suffer from family problems and trauma. The conflict and the lack of access to mental health services is leaving a huge impact on patients who already suffered from chronic mental disorders before the outbreak of the war,” says Moaz Abdel Ghani. Samawi, MSF mental health supervisor in Hajjah, Yemen.
Abdul Karim, 48 years old, father of four children. He lost his ability to work, support his family, and isolate himself after a traumatic event. He started experiencing extreme fear and anxiety.
“I started questioning everyone around me,” he says. “I couldn’t trust anyone.” “I got lost and felt that life was no longer worth living.”
The sons of Abdul Karim and his wife were his way out of his suffering. His wife asked him to seek treatment. He was traveling more than 100 kilometers from Hajjah to visit a doctor in Sana’a, as mental health services were not available in Hajjah and the surrounding areas.
“When I found out that MSF was providing mental health care in Hajjah, I started going to the clinic every month and had been going to the clinic for the past two years,” says Abdul Karim.
Our teams provide a comprehensive mental health program at Al-Jumhuriya Hospital in Hajjah, northwest Yemen, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. The program includes psychiatric care, psychotherapy for severe mental health disorders, and psychoeducational group sessions.
“We receive patients with various psychiatric disorders, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, such as anxiety, depressive episodes, post-traumatic stress disorder, and behavioral problems, and provide them with psychosocial care,” says Ora Ramirez, MSF. Mental health activity manager.
However, most patients arrive with severe conditions such as major depression, psychosis, and bipolar disorder, which require psychiatric treatment in addition to psychiatric care. These cases amount to 70 to 80 percent of our patients.”
Fatima*, 33 years old, mother of five, suffers from severe hallucinations and constantly hears voices that make her cry, scream and act violently with her children. Sometimes, you couldn’t even recognize them.
Fatima was divorced due to her mental health condition and moved from her husband’s house in Sana’a to her parents’ house in Hajjah.
“I was a hopeless situation. No one kissed me. I sat in the dark most of the time, and that was an absolute headache for my family. I turned their joy into sadness on any occasion,” Fatima says.
Most people with mental health issues in Yemen often seek support and treatment at a late stage when their symptoms are already affecting their lives and the lives of their families. This can be attributed to many factors.
Many patients do not recognize early symptoms and do not realize it until a later stage. This is largely due to a lack of awareness of mental health disorders, says Al Samawi.
“Some associate mental problems with jinn and witchcraft and resort to other traditional methods before seeking support in the clinic. Linking mental illness to insanity and stigma also discourages patients and their families from seeking help.
The MSF mental health clinic in Hajjah receives about 400 patients per month. Men represent about 70 percent of patients, indicating the challenges women face in accessing mental health services, some of which may be related to social and family restrictions.
Women need the support of their husbands or families to receive treatment. In response, our teams are working to raise awareness and highlight the importance of mental health care in communities by holding regular educational sessions in various departments of Al Gomhoria Hospital for patients, their families and their visitors.
“I consider this place my second home. These people are my family,” says Abdul Karim, who participates in the group sessions for men at the care center. “It changed my life. I’m no longer the person I was a few years ago. I got my job back, and my life got back on track.
“After isolating myself for a long time, I started taking walks and visiting my friends and family. I attend these sessions three times a week. My story is living proof that hope still exists.”
Name changed to protect identity
Originally published at San Jose News Bulletin
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