REMOVING THE CHAINS OF DESPAIR

A Mission of Compassion and Mercy

The lack of mental health services in Cambodia is so dire, many families have no choice but to shackle and chain their loved ones as protection for themselves and their neighbors.

Help Us UNCHAIN the Mentally Ill

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Chhoeung started showing signs of mental illness at age 40, attacking family members and young girls; he even tried to burn down his house. Chhoeung is now 53 – shackled to his bed for 13 years, unable to walk because the chain is too short. The family is very poor and his sister is his only caregiver.

Thankfully, one missioner in Cambodia is Fr. Kevin Conroy, a trained psychologist who’s collaborating with Maryknoll’s Mental Health Team.

Father Conroy’s mission is clear — restore each person’s human dignity. Here’s his plan:

• Open Maryknoll’s own treatment and rehabilitation center where patients can receive ongoing care
Train workers to treat the mentally ill and their families
• Spearhead the 3-year program called “Unchain the Mentally Ill” initiated by the Ministry of Health
• Develop a more humane protocol for the home-based care of family members with schizophrenia

The Cambodian government barely spends a total of $300,000 a year on treating mental illness — in a country of 15.5 million people!

Families affected by mental illness in Cambodia depend upon our compassion and love, now more than ever.

Please Help us END this Cruel Practice and Remove these Chains of Despair with your Prayers and a Gift of Mercy

“If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

– 1 John 3:17-18

Help US Help THEM

Father Kevin Conroy comforts a man suffering from mental illness. The patient is chained to his bed because there are no mental health services available to him and his family.

JOIN US and your gift to Maryknoll will make sure that all those we serve — in Cambodia and in every one of our mission initiatives throughout the world — are cared for with the respect they deserve, and receive the compassion of Jesus Christ.

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