Psychiatric patients reclaim their lives at Wahat Al-Rushd

The importance of family support

Khaled Al Abdouli, Director of Wahat Al-Rushd Home, outlined the main challenges faced by psychiatric patients and their treating specialists. He stressed the vital role that families play in supporting and embracing psychiatric patients, highlighting its significant impact on speeding up recovery and boosting the effectiveness of the therapeutic efforts provided by Wahat Al-Rushd.

Al Abdouli pointed out that one of the most prominent issues patients face is the social stigma attached to mental illness, along with a general lack of understanding about their abilities and potential. This leads to marginalisation and, in some cases, exploitation. Other challenges include the loss of job opportunities, neglect of treatment, and a lack of societal awareness about the nature of these disorders — all of which exacerbate their suffering and delay their reintegration.

Best approaches to dealing with psychiatric patients

Regarding the best way to deal with psychiatric patients, the Director of the home explained that it starts with offering trust and love, accepting their mental state with understanding and compassion, and maintaining a balanced approach in interactions. He added that certain situations require firmness, especially when it comes to adherence to psychiatric medication, which should only be stopped following noticeable improvement and a medical decision.

He also highlighted the importance of continuing therapy sessions, avoiding overprotection, engaging patients in beneficial activities, and encouraging them to resume their studies or engage in work according to their abilities. It’s essential to avoid issuing constant commands, replacing them instead with constructive, logical conversations. He further warned against always giving in to the patient’s desires, in order to preserve their psychological and behavioural balance.

Inspirational success stories

Al Abdouli shared several inspirational success stories achieved with psychiatric patients who benefited from the services of various departments within the Sharjah Social Services Department. He focused on two specific examples — one at the Child and Family Protection Centre and another at Wahat Al-Rushd Home.

The first story involved a student suffering from depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). His case was referred through the Child Helpline after a reported suicide attempt. Further investigation revealed multiple previous suicide attempts. A psychological evaluation confirmed the presence of two mental disorders, with a pre-treatment score of 72 on both the depression and OCD scales.

The team began offering him comprehensive psychological support, focusing on reshaping his negative self-image and restoring his broken relationship with his father. Concurrent family guidance sessions were also held to help the family better support him emotionally. The son and his father were convinced of the need to consult a psychiatrist and commit to a medication-based treatment plan.

Thanks to the quality and integration of the care provided, the case achieved tangible results. The patient overcame his depressive symptoms and showed clear improvements in his outlook on life. His depression test score dropped to 58, indicating a significant reduction in symptoms. His OCD symptoms also improved, with a new score of 62 — both strong indicators of mental health progress.

The student returned to school after frequent absences, not only resuming his education but excelling in secondary school. He received a university scholarship and is currently pursuing higher education. His physical health also improved, allowing his psychiatric medication to be discontinued due to the stability of his condition. Most notably, his once-impossible relationship with his father — previously strained due to obsessive thoughts — saw gradual improvement throughout the treatment journey. This progress occurred in record time, despite the complexity of his condition, which initially suggested a much longer recovery period.

A case of schizophrenia and academic triumph

The second case involved a female secondary school student diagnosed with schizophrenia. She underwent assessment and treatment at Wahat Al-Rushd until her condition stabilised and her psychotic symptoms improved. She continued to receive psychological therapy and was gradually reintegrated into her family. The specialist team at the centre then supported her return to school in order to preserve her motivation and sense of purpose.

Al Abdouli explained that this decision had a significant positive impact. The student was able to overcome her mental health crisis, excel academically, complete her secondary education successfully, and enrol in university to pursue higher education. During this journey, her family received ongoing guidance to help them better understand the nature of her illness and how to manage it, especially during moments of crisis.

An inclusive model of care

Wahat Al-Rushd receives a wide range of cases through multiple channels, either by referral or directly from families seeking support and care. The home caters to individuals between the ages of 18 and 59. Its mission is to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society after tailored training and treatment programmes.

Individuals with schizophrenia represent the majority of cases — a psychiatric disorder that affects thought, emotion, and behaviour, often leading to isolation from family, friends, school, or work. The home provides diverse services including full-time residential care and daytime hosting, with separate facilities for men and women.