The embodiment of such selfless love can be vividly observed at RUMAH BERDAYA, a facility dedicated to the psychosocial rehabilitation of People with Schizophrenia (PWS), RUMAH BERDAYA now operates under the auspices of the Social Service of the Denpasar City Government.
We had the opportunity to meet with Mrs. Agung Diah, who is responsible for the rehabilitation efforts at RUMAH BERDAYA as part of the Social Service department, and chat directly with her about RUMAH BERDAYA.
How are you Mrs. Agung Diah, can you tell us how you joined the RUMAH BERDAYA Team?
Initially, RUMAH BERDAYA was spearheaded by the Health Office because our friends with mental health problems were part of the program under the Bali provincial health office. However, in 2019, due to its focus on rehabilitation and support, the responsibility for RUMAH BERDAYA was transferred to the Bali provincial social service. On January 10, 2019, the Bali provincial social service officially took over the management of RUMAH BERDAYA and established a dedicated rehabilitation house for People with Schizophrenia (PWS) located at Jalan Raya Sesetan, Denpasar.
Can you tell us how the establishment of RUMAH BERDAYA began?
RUMAH BERDAYA was established in September 2016 by a psychiatrist named Dr I Gusti Rai Putra Wiguna and Mrs Komang Ayu from the Bali provincial health office. The rehabilitation facility is located on Jalan Hayam Wuruk in Denpasar.
Is there a stigma towards People with Schizophrenia (PWS) here in Bali? What are examples of stigmas from the community?
Unfortunately, one of the stigmas experienced by PWS is that they may face rejection from their families and communities or the surrounding environment. This can lead to extreme situations where some families resort to shackling them. Shackling involves physically restraining individuals with chains and attaching their hands to wooden weights, severely limiting their mobility and autonomy. It is a distressing practice.
PWS are said to bring disgrace to the family and the surrounding environment, so according to the community, these PWS should be banished, ostracised, or shackled. These approaches disregard the rights and dignity of individuals with mental health conditions and also fail to provide them with the support and care they need for their recovery.
For this reason, we established this RUMAH BERDAYA to facilitate PWS to be away from the stigmas they receive in the community, and we also educate the community that Schizophrenia is not a disgrace. It is stigmas like this that we want to remove from people’s thoughts about PWS.
What are the steps for a patient of the Mental Hospital in Bangli to receiving rehabilitation services at this RUMAH BERDAYA?
We got some information from the community if there was “shackling” or other stigma experienced by PWS, starting from the report of Mrs. Selly, the former mayor of Denpasar who often visited villages in the Bali area, and she found “shackling” treatment in one of the villages she visited. She discussed with Doctor Rai as a psychiatrist so that this “shackling” incident would not happen again.
Doctor Rai also took action to treat the PWS, and from the treatment and observations made, we can decide whether the PWS is referred to the Mental Hospital or other places of therapy.
So, we do an “Assessment” first before taking further action.
After entering here, what are the initial steps taken by the BERDAYA team for these PWS?
The first step is to welcome PWS to join RUMAH BERDAYA for free (No Charge) by bringing an identity card and family card. Afterwards, we approach the family again, and then we encourage PWS to interact and familiarise themselves with each other in a supportive environment facilitated by the RUMAH BERDAYA coordinator.
Even our coordinator is a former PWS. After recovering, we empower them to work with us here to help and provide positive things to the other PWS who have just joined RUMAH BERDAYA.
What are the routine activities held at RUMAH BERDAYA for PWS friends here?
We did have a regular schedule of activities before the pandemic, there was cooking, Yoga, and making incense, and we were greatly helped by communities who cared about RUMAH BERDAYA, such as students majoring in health and many students from outside Indonesia who often visited here. These communities often organise activities such as group activity therapy that can stimulate the motor and sensory movements of PWS.
How many people have been officially rehabilitated at RUMAH BERDAYA so far?
In our records from the beginning of our establishment, 80 people have been officially rehabilitated at RUMAH BERDAYA. And thankfully, some of them feel stable, so we decided to do outpatient care, still with the monitoring of the RUMAH BERDAYA team by visiting their homes regularly to find out their conditions. Some have become government employees, journalists, and even opened businesses again. And there are 20 PWS who are active now.
Can their family and friends visit them here freely? Or are there any rules?
We are very open to visits from their family and friends. In fact, it is actually the support they need, where they feel their family and friends still appreciate, care and love them. And there are no rules for visiting. We are very open as long as the family and friends who visit bring positive things to the PWS here.
What are the RUMAH BERDAYA team’s hopes for PWS friends after completing the rehabilitation programme here?
In my opinion, we do not consider them finished with the rehabilitation programme while they remain under the supervision of the RUMAH BERDAYA team because at any time they can relapse.
And, of course, no more Stigmas for PWS outside there
And, remember… Schizophrenia is not a disgrace!
Follow their Instagram: rumahberdaya.kpsibali
