Causes and Consequences of Stigma Leading to Mental Disorders Among Leprosy Affected: Key Elements in the Process of Counselling to Improve Mental Health Care

Abstract

In order to explore standardised approaches for preventive mental health care rather than treatment of diseases manifested, an action research was carried out on What are the unfulfilled needs of leprosy affected that are creating crisis situations and leading to mental health issues and a practicably affective process of counselling and the essential stages to be involved in carrying out in individual counselling of leprosy affected. The study was conducted in the counselling center of referral hospital of Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation on 146 leprosy affected and counselling provided by trained counsellors in every monthly visit for MDT till declared RFT. Findings show the process of counselling practiced towards prevention of mental health problems may be illustrated as the following five essential stages viz. Rapport establishment, Identification of crisis situation, Diagnosis of Psycho-social problems and reasons thereof, Ascertaining of counselling needs, and Fulfilment of needs through counselling. Analysis shows the psychological problems are basically develop from cognition viz. lack of knowledge, lack of conviction, Lack of knowledge about Cure, Lack of conviction about known facts of cure, Fear of society/ family/ reactions/ deformities, loneliness- Lack of social support to the patient, possession of misconceptions of the patient or the family members or the community members who creates socio-behavioural problems which in turn cause psychological problems. Maintenance of mental health starts from identification of needs and fulfilment which otherwise need to mental problems. The study concludes that a systematic counselling along with leprosy treatment can be a successful method to prevent the mental health problems prior to reaching the stage of needing treatment.