I was down at the mental health hospital today, a place called 'Valkenberg.' I was helping to take home a woman from our church who has been admitted there, but goes home on weekends. From her reports it was difficult to get an accurate assessment of the facilities there, but it's safe to say they are not exactly ideal. I was reluctant to take pictures, it didn't seem quite like the proper thing to do. The place is set in a nice location, but because of budget restrictions the whole health system in South Africa is feeling the crunch, especially public hospitals such as Valkenberg, so the quality of care suffers. Yet for people such as the woman from our church, it is the only help available.
Yet even in ideal circumstances with state of the art treatment, mental illness is a very difficult thing to live with. I suppose that's not such a profound or new thing to say, but having been exposed to the difficulties that some deal with in terms of the mental well-being, I am reminded of the gift that good health is.
2 comments:
Good health is definitely something we all take for granted. I am glad to hear that you are having rich experiences. Are you feeling that your time now is full or lacking experiences?
I'm back under the crunch of a post-degree program. The work is not particularly difficult; there is simply a lot of it!
Andrea and I both miss you. I hope you have fun with Kristen and Jon!
Scott! I miss you as well my friend. The time here has definitely been full, no questions. Church is a crazy business. Kristen and Jon show up on the 9th, it will be good times indeed! I hope you're well, all the best with the 'post-degree program.'
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