BBC world service program Outlook– an international program that profiles extraordinary personal stories finally feel the need to expose an extraordinary work by Professor Luh Ketut Suryani. The works that the government still refuses to acknowledge the existence of her work or the problems that she tries to solve. She estimates that over 7000 people in Bali suffer from serious chronic mental illnesses, but are not reported (and naturally not treated). For various reasons, financial, social, political, educational, or simply shame, their families have been reluctant to seek help, while the few who did, never received any. Her survey-team encountered numerous cases where people were being locked in or in chains for several years (in some cases over a decade), in conditions that would have been considered inhumane even for livestock in the West.
“The irony in all this is that almost every one of these cases is treatable. Professor Suryani used her limited resources and has already successfully treated these people, all of whom have recovered and are now living normal lives”, said Rebecca Henschke as the editor of Asia Calling during her visit to community with Professor Suryani and her dedicated team that uncovered a far more sinister reality than glorious tourism industry in the paradise island, Bali.
“Having heard the story, seen the evidence, and witnessed the frustration of these scientists, I was deeply moved and felt I should try to help them”, add Rebecca after getting wet from a pouring rain during her visit with the marvelous mental health team. Exposing this injustice and unspeakable human rights negligence will be much obliged for any help for Professor Suryani and her team.