Sunil
Overcoming Schizophrenia with Community Support and Family Care
Sunil, a 39-year-old man from the village of Khadki, located 24 km from Narkhed tahsil and 91 km from Nagpur, had been struggling with mental health issues for much of his life. Raised in a family of four, with his mother, father, and elder brother, Sunil's family relied on daily wage work for their income. Despite having a normal childhood, Sunil's life took a turn for the worse at the age of 14, when he developed a gambling addiction that would go on to profoundly affect him and his family.
Sunil's symptoms began while he was still in school. He would steal valuables from his own home to fund his gambling addiction, and his aggressive behavior toward his parents escalated. His schooling was affected, and he failed twice in the same class. His addiction to the gambling card game Teen Patti kept him trapped in a destructive cycle, and his condition worsened with time.
Sunil's behavior became increasingly erratic and aggressive. He exhibited symptoms such as irritability, wandering behavior, loss of appetite, loss of sleep, and hallucinations. His mother, desperate to help her son, sought traditional treatments, but these efforts were in vain. Sunil's condition only deteriorated, culminating in his disappearance for seven years. His family searched for him and even filed a police complaint. Eventually, Sunil was found in Bangalore, and with the help of local authorities, he was brought back to Nagpur. Though he received treatment at a hospital in Nagpur, his symptoms reappeared once he returned home.
Due to their weak financial condition, Sunil's family could not afford ongoing private or government treatment in Nagpur. During this challenging time, the DMHP was introduced in the Narkhed block under the Udaan program. Sunil's mother learned about the mental health services available during a local awareness meeting. On September 20, 2023, Sunil was brought to the OPD in Narkhed, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. From that point on, he started receiving consistent treatment through the program.
Since starting treatment, Sunil has shown tremendous improvement. During the first visit from the block coordinator, Sunil appeared tired, but his family provided detailed information about his condition. Despite their financial hardships, Sunil's family was deeply supportive and willing to learn about his illness. With the help of the block coordinator and community health workers, they received psychoeducation about schizophrenia and were educated on the importance of medication adherence, sleep hygiene, and engaging in daily activities.
Location: Narkhed Block | Coordinator: Pratik Thakare
