Restraint (Pasung) / Without Restraint


  • Photographer
    Andrea Star Reese
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention
  • Company/Studios
    Andrea Star Reese
  • Date of Photograph
    January, February, 2011
  • Technical Info
    Digital 35mm

Restraint (Pasung)/ Without Restraint is a series about the consequence of the stigma surrounding mental illness in rural and urban communities in Indonesia. The shame associated with mental disorders could complicate Pasung 2014, a Government campaign to end cruelty to the mentally ill. Stigma is also defined as spots on butterflies.

Story

Pasung means restraints or restrained. One effective restraint is stigma. In Indonesia, it is common to blame behavioral changes on spiritual weakness, or spells, or possession by spirits. For Indonesians it is much worse be diagnosed as mentally ill then to be considered affected by mystical forces. The popular solution is to avoid hospitals and seek help from shamans familiar with the age-old traditions of mysticism, or spiritual teachers who believe that only God can cure. People are shut away or restrained because pasung is what families/caregivers know to do to protect the afflicted and protect others from possible harm. It is not done to hurt. The widespread belief is that pasung will calm.
Wawan has been held in a chicken coop in West Java for more then a year. He cannot stand. Wawan’s family is distressed because they do not know how to help him and he is getting worse.
Emelia moved to Jakarta’s tracks from Surabaya to seek help for her depression. She does not want to go see a doctor instead attends church services, preferring prayer and spiritual counseling.
The Government of Indonesia has a campaign called Pasung Free 2014 to eradicate cruelty and improve care for the mentally ill. But to effect change will require not just a willing government, but will necessitate the efforts of NGO’s, faith based leadership, and the willingness of the grassroots population to learn important truths and to change attitudes formed over centuries. Stigma is also defined as spots on butterflies.

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