00:00Dr. Varma D. Elsing, clinical psychiatrist and former independent senator, says
00:05understanding the signs as shown by individuals suffering with mental
00:08illness is important as it can make the difference between life and death. He
00:14adds that the first step to recovery is acceptance and oftentimes parents do
00:19not want to accept the fact that their child may have a mental disorder. He says
00:23there are several red flags individuals with mental disorder display. If you
00:28stop taking your medication this now that individual may now relapse because
00:33you see things like you know people have to understand just as how diabetes is a
00:37derangement of your pancreas gland producing insulin. Mental disorders you
00:41have the dopamine levels you know may change and so in schizophrenia and
00:46you could have medication that could bring you back to that level so taking
00:49not taking medication is one lack of sleep anytime I find somebody's not
00:54sleeping peace and along any night I get worried no you can sleep any day and in
00:58that but once you're getting eight nine hours sleep good so lack of sleep get
01:02peace in the place looking very angry clenching your fists shouting you know
01:07you you know shouting out at your your parents you know having that aggressor
01:11escalated so when you see that escalating in terms of demands you know
01:16you're asking for something and you're not getting it
01:17smashing objects in the house you have to be worried. Dr. D. Elsing says mental
01:22illness comes in different levels some individuals with mental illness are
01:26unable to recognize their condition or control their actions while some can be
01:31delusional. So let's say I have a brain disorder of anxiety that may not make me
01:35helpful so we can't lump all in one bracket but if you have an individual
01:39who suffers from delusion like paranoid delusion persecutory delusion that I
01:46figure people against me police against me people spying on me if I do not get
01:52in touch with reality I may have that fear and I can act out and and you know
01:57to a detrimental effect. He praises the government for their efforts with
02:01providing a safe space for people with mental illness adding that they are over
02:0627 psychiatric clinics located in Trinidad and Tobago. We have clinics and
02:11then they decided let's put a adolescent clinic in Montauk so you can the young
02:16people could just go and speak. I must thank the Minister Donna Cox for
02:22having a you know she has a calling line 800-HOPE which she launched and I was
02:28there at the launch and I give some talk where if you have a problem you could
02:32reach out and call this this this number. If you know someone who is suffering
02:37from a mental disorder or mental illness you can call 800-CARE for any
02:42assistance. Shala Kistu, TV6 News.
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