People with a mental illness at Juba Central Prison are held in separate cells at night, but during the day mingle with the general prison population.

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

A 14-year-old boy, who has been tied up for six years. His mother refuse to have him admitted to the local hospital, only two kilometers away.

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

Abdi Rahman Shukri Ali has lived in a locked shack in the Dadaab refugee camp in eastern Kenya for two years. 

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

Many patients treated by the Reverend Apostle S. B. Eswani stay chained for months in his compound. The preacher says he has cured hundreds of people of mental illness, using prayer and traditional medicines.

A traditional Khoranic healer treats patients by reciting holy verses to cure mental illness.

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

Traditional healer Lekwe Deezia treats mental illness through the power of prayer and with herbal medicines, in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.  While receiving treatment, which can take months, patients are chained to trees in his courtyard. They say they are fed at most once a day, are beaten, and not given shelter from the elements.

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

Former child soldier Mamie Denis lives in Trench Town, an informal settlement in the Liberian capital Monrovia, inhabited mostly by ex-combatants of the country’s civil wars.

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

A man with one leg amputated, and the other gangrenous, lies in the Port Harcourt Rehabilitation Facility in the Niger Delta. The facility houses over 170 people with mental disabilities, who were formerly living on the streets. Originally designed as a home for widows, the building became a psychiatric hospital in 1999, as homeless people were cleared from the streets in a government clean-up in anticipation of the FIFA World Youth Soccer Championships. 

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

The Port Harcourt Rehabilitation Facility in the Niger Delta houses over 170 people with mental disabilities who were formerly living on the streets. Originally designed as a home for widows, the building became a psychiatric hospital in 1999, as homeless people were cleared from the streets in a government clean-up in anticipation of the FIFA World Youth Soccer Championships. 

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

A man drags a tied-up mentally ill relative behind him, after she had not obeyed his instructions, at the Brothers of Charity psychiatric hospital in Goma. Family members are encouraged to stay with patients, because there is a shortage of staff at the institution.

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

A woman tries to escape from the Galkayo Mental Health Centre.

In areas of crisis—in failed states, in refugee camps, in countries where the infrastructure has collapsed—the mentally ill are frequently condemned to neglect or lives of misery. Disregarded in parts of the world by government and the aid community, sometimes far from family support networks, the mentally ill can lead isolated lives, subject to ill treatment.

Contemporary Issues - 1st prize

A Portrait of Domestic Violence