Mental Health Programme

British Ambassador Dr. Carolyn Browne visits our music therapy class.

CARD has worked in the psychiatric hospital in Genja, Azerbaijan, for many years. We have a local lady called Flora co-ordinating the feeding programme where we provide bread, flour, fruit and other nutritious foods to all the 150 patients living there. We are also able to feed the 40 weakest patients a full supplementary meal twice a week.

Our therapy workers run therapy classes in art, needle work, music, chess, gardening and aerobics. They provide much needed stimulation for these patients who would otherwise be confined to their wards all day long. We have rest areas with a television, library and garden to enjoy. Our therapy classes enable patients to build their self-esteem as they develop new skills.

During the past year we have fully renovated two of the four wards in the hospital. These were in a very bad state, but now have heating for the first time in 15 years, new windows, bathrooms, roof, décor and a water supply.

Because mental health care is still a developing area in Azerbaijan, families and medical professionals often do not understand patients’ ongoing needs or when they can be returned home. Patients may remain at the hospital for many years because families cannot afford to collect them or may be afraid of having them back. We identify those patients who could be returned home and liaise with their families. In the last two years we have returned home 40 patients and reunited them with their families. Without this help these patients would still needlessly be in this institution.

Last year we began working in the Gizilca psychiatric hostel, another institution for the mentally ill. Approximately 110 patients live here, who are expected to remain in institutional care for the rest of their lives. Although the conditions at this institution are generally much better, there is very low morale among the patients who have nothing to do all day. We run art and sewing therapy classes and have begun to work with the institution director to see how the care of these patients can be improved.

The Ganja Psychiatric Hospital has approximately 150 patients. CARD(2000) has worked to dramatically improve the quality of life there. The building housing two wards, a women’s ward with 50 female patients and a men’s ward with 35 men, need major repairs. Last winter we patched up the roof and provided new blankets, but with no heating and many other problems life in the ward is very unpleasant.

We would like to completely renovate this ward in the next year so that these patients have better living conditions.