A schizophrenic girl from Assam who landed in the city “following her inner voice” in June, was rescued and sent back home by some good Samaritans in the city on Thursday.
Onima Soren (25), a native of New Bongoigaon, reportedly had hallucinations asking her go to Chennai which she did by train. On finding her roaming near the Jesus Calls complex in the city, Vasanthi, Venkatesh and Ramesh, all volunteers of Anbagam, an NGO, saved the girl before she fell prey to miscreants. They also offered her treatment.
According to Anbagam, she had come here two years ago due to hallucinations. Luckily, that time she was saved by the police who sent her back.
Speaking to Express, Dr Kotteeshwara Rao, a mental health consultant who treated the girl said, “After she was saved by the members of Anbagam, she was kept at CDS Shelter run by the organisation for a month. Little later, she was found to be afflicted by schizophrenia and shifted to SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation) and given treatment for the last one month”.
While the treatment was in progress, she gradually revealed her name and address. Eventually, members of Anbagam along with those from Lions Club, alerted the police in Assam who in turn informed the girl’s condition to her family.
Thanks to the State Mental Health Rule, 2002, it is possible to admit an insane person in a mental health hospital with just a police memo, said Kotteeshwara Rao. Earlier, insane persons could be admitted in a mental health hospital only after receiving the reception order provided by the magistrate, creating procedural delays.
Onima Soren, with the help of a translator, said that she had completed Class 12 and was eager to learn computer related courses. She was happy about joining her parents and brother.
G Manilal, Lion’s Club Governor of District 324 A8 said that the girl would be received by the Lions Club Governor of Assam. Financial assistance would be provided to the girl’s family for her speedy recovery, he added.
Members from Anbagam, SCARF and Lions Club saw her off at the Egmore Railway Station. She would be accompanied by Venkatesh, a member of Anbagam.