Gerson is a young man who suffers from schizophrenia, lives with his sister and mother, and has been receiving care and community accompaniment to strengthen adherence to treatment thanks to the intervention of the chronic mental disorder project of Socios En Saludin Carabayllo.
.org.pe/”>Socios En Salud in Carabayllo.
Gerson Monzon was just 16 when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Elizabeth Sierra, his mother, knows what it is like to live with and cope with this disease: “Gerson used to be a very restless, hyperactive and often mischievous young man,” she detailed.
Within 3 months, Gerson toured several hospitals in search of adequate treatment, but soon after he relapsed and quit. “He totally rejected the pills, it was a long process for Gerson to accept the disease,” explained Liseth, his older sister, who has become the emotional, economic and social support for her brother and mother.
For the past 2 years, Gerson has been part of the chronic mental disorder project through the Mental Health program, which seeks to strengthen the public system’s attention to mental disorders through psychoemotional community strategies designed to effectively accompany and rehabilitate patients. He also receives specialized care at the Community Mental Health Center in Carabayllo.
“Gerson is improving. Socios En Salud has always been attentive to all of us, including accompanying us during the pandemic,” Liseth said.
Currently, Gerson takes 3 pills a day and receives a monthly ampoule as part of his medication; he is also visited by Esperanza Centeno, a community agent from Socios En Salud who accompanies Gerson throughout his treatment.
Today, at 28 years old, Gerson works and dreams of one day becoming a pastor of the church he attends. “Every morning I get up and thank the creator for the family I have by my side. The important thing is to keep going and never stop fighting, although the road may seem difficult it is not impossible. I feel that I am recovering little by little,” he shared.
Gerson, Liseth and Elizabeth are not just a family, they are a sign of union and daily overcoming. At Socios En Salud we are aware that all human lives have the same value, and every human being has the inalienable right to be healthy to reach his or her potential.
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