“I had a vibrant social life and was enjoying my life, but all that suddenly changed when I lost piece by piece of my life and who I was,” said South African Federation for Mental Health’s Charlene Sunkel.
This is how Sunkel started her talk at the Mental Health Awareness event, held at the Bertha Gxowa Hospital, recently.
During the awareness programme, emphasis was placed on various kinds, causes and treatments of mental illnesses and on debunking myths and stereotypes attached to mental illness.
“Without me noticing, I had withdrawn from everyone and everything,” continued Sunkel.
“I had become preoccupied with all kinds of thoughts, ideas and beliefs that turned into voices and conversations with the voices.
“Paranoia turned the world into an evil place and I lived in fear.
“The dramatic change in my behaviour became apparent to everyone around me.
“The unfortunate part is that those around me either blamed drugs, satanism, or just me seeking attention.
“They blamed my behaviour on anything else but a mental disorder, as that would mean shaming my family and community.”
Sunkel told the GCN that she was diagnosed with a mental disorder in 1991.
“I consulted a psychiatrist who, after assessments, diagnosed me with paranoid schizophrenia and a poor prognosis,” she explained.
“I was shocked, I had never heard of the word ‘schizophrenia’.
“I eventually lost my job, apartment, everything I owned, including the respect and understanding of my family and friends.
“I was left with no dignity.”
Sunkel also said that, after 18 electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) sessions, four years spent in hospitals and two years in a psychosocial rehabilitation facility, she has regained her dignity.
“Contrary to the stigma of being dangerous, needing to be locked away, unemployable, unable to live on my own or achieve anything, I am actually the opposite,” she explained.
“I work at the South African Federation for Mental Health and have been since 2003, I live on my own, sustain myself and have achieved great success, which includes receiving several awards.
“Often we focus so much on the mental disorders and the disadvantages and less on mental health care and restoring the dignity of those suffering from mental disorders.
“People often get too afraid to seek help, as they are afraid of the stigmas.
“When restoring dignity we look at, among other things, having access to the best possible mental health care services, a general health care system free from stigma and discrimination and family and friends involved in the recovery process.
“The support, understanding and care from family and friends is crucially important and it goes a long way.”
Sunkel also said that, as a family member or friend of a person with a mental disorder you have to assure and show them that you are there, instead of just checking up on them.
“It really is motivating when you can see and feel the support and love of those close to you,” she added.
“Believe in the person and encourage them to believe in themselves; motivate them to study and do things for themselves, focus on their ability to achieve rather than their disability or disorder.
“To all those suffering from a mental disorder, always remember that being treatment compliant is taking responsibility.
“Dream big and go for what you want, nobody can stop you but yourself.”
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