Mental Health Planning Council chairwoman Kaye Christian yesterday said that patients with mental illness and bipolar disorders need to know that with proper care and attitude, they can recover.
But the lack of proper recovery facilities and in-house psychiatrists are just among the challenges that the local hospital faces, Christian said.
“For one psychiatrist to serve the three islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota could be very taxing and could mean no days-off, and this could be a factor why psychiatrists don’t stay,” she said.
Christian said the Commonwealth Health Center has no psychiatrist left.
“What everybody needs to know is that patients with mental illness can recover, with proper support from the family members and the community,” Christian said.
Last year, Christian initiated a project to improve and beautify the walled section outside the psychiatric unit of CHC and turn it into a full garden for the patients to use.
Christian said the garden is nearing completion, with the assistance of NMC-CREES which provided box gardening materials and an interior designer.
She said the project still lacks funds to cover the costs which amount to over $7,000.
Christian was yesterday’s guest speaker at the Rotary Club meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan.
