Originally reported and written in April 2023, this story has been republished as part of our archival content.

Gobind Rai recalls that when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia 10 years ago, it was as though he lost touch with reality. Irregular meals and sleep patterns were common, and he would often end up subjecting his wife to violence, with no recollection of doing so afterwards. 

Today, he is in partial remission after being treated by doctors and counselors of the  Mental Illness Treatment Alliance (MITA). “People told me about MITA. I got in touch and started taking the medicines. The cost was low. I like talking to the camp doctors. I feel good. Now, I work in a shop that makes momos,” says Rai, adding that he no longer hears voices, does not feel paranoid, and sleeps soundly.  His wife says he takes his medicines regularly and gives her his earnings. She has no complaints about him anymore. 

Meanwhile, it was Geetanjali Rai’s mother-in-law who first noticed that she was behaving oddly. “She would roam around, talk non-stop and get angry often. People told me she was ‘mad’ and we should take her to a doctor.” says Geetanjali’s mother-in-law. Geetanjali was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder at the MITA camp. 

After 10 months of treatment, she is in full remission. Relating her ordeal, Geetanjali says, “Everyone in the family was suffering. My daughters could not go to school as they had to take care of the home. I could not work. We were having financial problems. I would wonder whether I would ever get well. I would feel sad and tears would come to my eyes. I felt comforted meeting the doctors and nurses at the camp. Some people call me a ‘mad’ person even today. I ask them, would I be able to work and do the household chores if I was ‘mad’?”  

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