For the most part abandoned by their loved ones, then tortured in the only place that’s supposed to be a sanctuary. This is the fate that seems to have befallen the residents of Da-ul-Sukun, a welfare institute in Pakistan located within the premises of the Punjab Welfare Society, Lahore. This institute houses both female and male psychiatric patients though in separate wards.
Amtul Hameed was brought to the institute in 2009 by her daughter in law’s mother. The contact information given to her was wrong and, so she is unable to contact her family. Her son’s phone number which should have given her hope of contact, since she remembers it well, was changed. Despite all this she still believes when her son gets to know of her whereabouts. He will come collect her since she believes he was tricked. She is now in her early sixties.
Twenty three years ago, Rukhsana was forgotten by her educated family when she was in her early twenties. She lives in the hope of getting a call from them one day. An epileptic patient, who had to be cheered by one of the attendants pretending to be her sister over the phone, she is the first resident of the institute.
These are just a few of the residents at the Dar-ul-sukun institute. Some are comforted with the money that their families give them, though unfortunately, it is for the most part taken away by their care takers since according to them, they do not need it.
Thanks to Sahrish Ahmad, a trainee clinical psychologist who once worked at the institute, their true plight can be finally known to the world. They tell her of the physical and verbal torture they have to endure in their stay at the shelter. Unfortunately, the attendants justify this torture as the only way to control the mentally disabled.
Residents such as Rukhsana have developed new psychiatric illnesses from their stay at the institute. This is because there is a lack of professional psychological support at the shelter, and the environment is generally oppressive.
Sahrish tells of the lack of an in-house psychiatrist or psychologist at the shelter, of how most residents get medication without proper assessment. She tells of the washrooms and furniture which are in shambles, the greasy unwashed utensils the residents are forced to eat in, and the lack of warm water especially in the winter seasons which make bath time for the residents unbearable.
She further tells of how when they as the team of trainees complained of the state of affairs, the administration would blame it on the lack of resources and funds. Unfortunately, it has also been observed that the few goods that are given to the residents in the charity are taken away from them.
Dar-ul-sukun has been regarded as a well reputed place, and a safe haven for the abandoned, mentally challenged and ill, but this new revelation is bound to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of any humanitarian.
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