PESHAWAR, June 2: A variety programme was held here on Thursday for patients of the Mental Hospital Peshawar. “Music and healthy entertainment form effective therapy for the mentally ill and narcotics dependents,” said Gulzar Wazir, general-secretary of the Friends of the MIND (Mentally Ill Narcotics Dependents).

Mr Wazir, a schizophrenia patient, said that he himself had been diagnosed early and due to his family support he was leading a functional life. On the other hand, patients admitted to the Mental Hospital were totally neglected and deserted by their families.

The FOM works in collaboration with the Mental Hospital for spreading awareness, providing medication and helping rehabilitate the mentally ill and drug addicts.

“The hospital has not sufficient facilities for the proper and special treatment of patients,” he said.

The entertainment programme was held with the support and help of volunteer organizations, private persons and companies. Some also donated medicines.

About 70 patients with less serious mental diseases attended the event. Local magicians and singers enthralled the audience.

An Austrian couple, Charlotte Hagg and Dean Macrae, voluntarily collected items of daily use and distributed them among patients during the function.

The couple had collected from private companies and money changers clothes, 200 pairs of shoes, 150 towels, buckets, and Rs6000 in one week’s effort for the hospital patients.

They also gifted pet birds to patients “as they work as a therapy”. “Deprived of love and care, patients can take good care of pets, a pastime which will make them happy,” said Charlotte.

Friends and families of patients had also been invited to the event but few showed up.