Our health correspondent has been following people with mental health problems at the National Psychiatric Hospital, and some of those who have recovered from various mental health problems have explained how they were trapped, and now free as a result of access to early treatment.
Daniel Walters (not his real name) is a 35 year old Sierra Leonean who was born and grew up in Freetown, went through schooling and attained tertiary education to live a life like any normal person.
Unfortunately, Daniel’s problem started at age 15 and he now explains the rest of his story.
Awoko– What happened to you and you found yourself at this health facility?
Daniel-It all started when I was a young teenager growing up and focused to become an engineer, but little did I realize that having a sip of strong liquor was the beginning to other things that brought me here, to this hospital. My family strictly Muslim is well respected in society and my father of blessed memory was a businessman and a public socialite, but he was a caring husband and father, but he never knew that the hard drinks he kept for business associates, some relatives and friends, his only son was also having a nice time once on a while after a bottle or two would have been opened for guests.
Awoko– So why and what made you decide to start indulging in your little secret, at such an early age?
Daniel – (smiling sheepishly) I don’t know what really led me to start doing what I didn’t realize would affect my mental health being, but when guests would come occasionally to the house and especially for those who drink hard liquor enjoying themselves, talking and laughing big laughs, it was like cool to me and in school I confided in some of my friends and one or two also confirmed what was happening in their home too, and like it was ok to have a shot or two to relax the mind to read our text and note books.
Awoko – Did you realize that what you were indulging in was illegal, because by law under age are off limits to alcohol.
Daniel – I understood it was not right and that was what started to affect the bond between my elder sister and myself, because she found out and threatened to report me and we would quarrel and will try to convince her it was just a little; and the little started turning into sneaking a whole bottle to my room, to satisfy my craving that was increasing and as a result my grades in school started to drop, and as a science student my class teacher had to draw the notice of my father. This was the time my parents who had such trust and belief in me, became disappointed after realizing that I was deep into alcohol abuse, which by then had made me popular among my peers including girls who I dare not go near or make an attempt to talk to when I was not under the influence of what I regarded as the powerful magical water (alcohol).
Awoko – How did you manage to cope after your parents found out about your little secret?
Daniel – It was hard for me as I felt guilty of disappointing my family, especially being a Muslim, but I made up my mind to quit and decided to turn to something else, (substance abuse) then the time bomb started ticking faster. I finished high school and was admitted at FBC, not to study my dream profession (engineering), but applied accounting. It was not easy for me to sail through by then I was deep into various forms of substance abuse, but by God’s grace and mercy I was able to graduate and start work. My output was not up to scratch and with support from family and friends I stopped everything, and this yielded me dividend to cool off in the States. In the States, I was persuaded to check in at a rehabilitation centre and this really did me good and was happy that I had overcome the devil.
Awoko – What do you mean, you were happy you had overcome the devil?
Daniel – My brother, all went well in the States over a period of time, I came back home and all was fine, not until I went for a conference in the States, one thing led to another I rolled back to my old habit and one night I hit rock bottom and was found passed out, in my hotel room. I was rushed to the hospital and after gaining consciousness, I came back home lost my job and with frustration did not make any move to buck up, and my condition in substance abuse worsened, only to wake up and find myself here. It was then I realized that I was wasting my life and slowly killing myself, and it was time to pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over.
Awoko – So what would you want to tell people out there with mental health problems, especially young people who are so hooked up in substance abuse?
Daniel – Brethren, mental health is real and can make you lose consciousness of your well being and I advise young people that substance abuse is not the short cut to solving your many problems. I had gone through a lot in life and I owe it to my family and country to make up for what I had lost and contribute positively to society.
Awoko – I see you are holding a bible and quoting verses from the scriptures, and you come from a strong Muslim background, what’s the reason?
Daniel – (smiling) God is one, and all that I have been through, strong prayers backed up with my adherence to drug administration here at the facility, had made me survive the tsunami of alcohol and substance abuse.
I want to thank you for sharing your story with Awoko.
According to Psychiatrist Specialist, Dr. Abdul Jalloh, Daniel like many other patients brought in had completely lost consciousness of himself and society, but with commitment from care givers and counseling about hope in life, he has recovered and gained back his liberty to reintegrate, after few more months of close monitoring, at the facility.