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A Traditional Healing Center For Psychiatric Patients Amid Pandemic

Ustadz Ruslan led the communication session at Daarul Miftah Mulia foundation in Bogor, West Java on 30 April 2021. Mental disorder cases in Indonesia increases 57.6 percent during COVID-19 pandemic, with only 9 percent is under treatment, a study of the Association of Indonesian Mental Medicine Specialists (PDKJI) suggests. Daarul Miftah Mulia Foundation, a rehabilitation center for people with mental disorders, saw the number of patients being treated there doubling during the pandemic. Social and economic burdens are believed responsible for the cause. Five cells in the building facilitate 60 percent of the total patients with a period of treatment varies from one week to six months. A free-of-charge treatment is delivered to 80 percent of the total patients, mostly come from humble families or found roaming the city streets. For 14 years, Ustadz Ruslan has been delivering an alternative treatment to the patients with the help from his assistants. The therapy includes teaching patients how to do five mandatory prayers, reciting Quran, gardening, learning how to communicate, and relaxing massage. These methods applied are hoped to heal mental illnes they suffer from. Ruslan said mental illnesses mostly are caused by traumatic incidents, which disrupt patients' emotion and behaviour and lead to being excluded from families or communities. Ruslan also denies any paranormal experiences behind mental disorders. (Photo by Afriadi Hikmal/NurPhoto)

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