AUK Psychology Students Visit the Kuwait Psychiatric Hospital
23rd Jan 2019 | by the Department of PR & Marketing
Students from the psychology classes at AUK took a trip with their professor, Dr. Juliet Dinkha to the Kuwait Psychiatric Hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital, it became apparent how crucial this trip was in understanding abnormal psychology, especially when living in a culture where mental abnormalities are far from being accepted.
The tour began in the auditorium of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Unit where the students and faculty were greeted by the Director of the unit, Dr. Adel Al Zayed. They were introduced to the idea of a ‘therapeutic community’ and how the patients relied on each other for support during their times of recovery.
The next part of the tour was led by Ms. Abeer, a social worker who works closely with Dr. Adel in helping recovering patients achieve their goals of a drug-free lifestyle. She guided AUK students to the inpatient unit which ranged from the lecture hall to the personal rooms of the patients. Going through the female ward of the drug and substance abuse was a raw feeling of honesty. It served as a realization that substance abuse does happen and there are those who seek recovery with success stories to follow. The most interesting place of the ward was the halfway house which is where the women or men would slowly integrate back into the larger Kuwaiti society. They would look for jobs or attend university during the day but return home at night. Residents of the halfway house would usually stay for about a year to a year and a half.
After visiting the center of drug and substance abuse, the group visited the General Psychiatric Hospital. Their guide, Dr. Ibrahim took them to visit the wards; it became apparent that residents, particularly those who experience psychosis, could easily be disturbed by additional noises when they are trying to relax. While going through the wards the group got to meet one of the nurses. She explained that she oversaw the female patients who suffered from low IQs.
The tour concluded at the forensic unit. This unit was primarily responsible for observing the patients for psychopathy and helping those with recover and reintegrating with society. This experience allowed the students to change their views of mental institutions and the different kinds of cases that are being treated there.
AUK students during their tour of the facilities
Group photo of the students with their professor outside the hospital