Dilmaya
Dilmaya may only be 18 years old, but she’s already suffered so much... all because of people’s misunderstanding.
Please will you show your love and understanding for people like Dilmaya by making a gift to help adults and children experiencing loneliness and exclusion because of health conditions.
“He upholds the cause of the oppressed… the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down…” – Psalm 146:7-8
Imagine having a health condition so misunderstood that people fear you.
This is why 18-year-old Dilmaya from Nepal shares her story with a deep sadness that will break your heart…
“I don’t have any friends now.”
But, there are two ways you can change the lives of people like Dilmaya today, with love, and with understanding.
Please will you show your love and understanding for people like Dilmaya by making a gift today.
As a valued cbm supporter your generosity helps people who have a physical disability, but did you know…
Your gift can also help support people living in poverty who experience loneliness and exclusion because of mental health conditions. People like Dilmaya.
If you’re wondering why Dilmaya feels she has no one to call a friend, this is what she told us...
“I have epilepsy. My classmates feared that they may also have fits if they sit together with me in the classroom. That’s why I developed depression and was forced to drop out while studying in grade nine.”
Can you imagine how Dilmaya must have felt to have her peers turn their backs on her? To the point that she couldn’t show up at school anymore?
Dilmaya’s troubles began when she started having epileptic seizures from the age of just three. Dilmaya’s mum, Kausila, held back tears as she recalled…
“She used to get attacks five or six times a day. There was a time when I couldn’t sleep because I was always worried about her. What if something happens to her? What if she gets another attack while she is asleep?”
“Other people used to scold and hit her. One time, Dilmaya fell and broke her hand and collarbone. She never received love from anyone, except me.”
You may be shocked to hear of the severe stigma people like Dilmaya experience — even as small children - from their neighbours.
But sadly, in the part of the world where Dilmaya lives, mental health conditions like those Dilmaya experiences as a result of her condition, are not just misunderstood… they are feared.
There are usually no services available to help people in Dilmaya’s situation. So, instead of receiving medical help in the depths of their suffering, they are often cast aside.
In such devastating situations like these, my heart wants nothing more than to see love and understanding shown to hurting neighbours. I think of how we are called to…
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and… love your neighbour as yourself.” - Mark 12:30-31
Please will you prayerfully consider sending a gift of to help people with misunderstood health conditions like those Dilmaya faces.
In this way, you will bring more love and understanding into the lives of people living in poverty with health issues that result in mental health conditions.
Dilmaya misses school so much…
“I love to study. I want to go to school but I get panicked because I don’t have any friends and I am scared to go to school alone. If I had friends, I could walk to school while talking to them.”
As a result of the heartbreak and anguish Dilmaya experienced, she developed severe depression. And sadly, by the age of 13, she had begun harming herself and having suicidal thoughts, all because of people’s misunderstanding.
It’s extremely distressing to hear of a young person struggling in this way. No one should ever have to experience such despair. But thankfully Dilmaya has turned a corner, and wants to share her story, so that no one else has to go through what she has.
It is sensitive though, and you might find it upsetting, so we have added her note here, which you can choose to read if you wish.
Kausila tried everything she could to help her daughter. But sadly, it wasn’t enough…
“I was also fearful of her suicidal attempts. What would I do if she dies! These feelings came to my mind and I cried… I took her to every place possible. The only thing I want is regular treatment and medicine for my daughter.”
So, you can surely imagine the enormous relief Kausila must have felt when her family connected with caring cbm-funded Outreach Support worker, Durga.
Dilmaya now receives not only treatment for her epilepsy, but also regular home visits from Durga. Giving her a much-needed chance to speak with someone who truly understands and cares about what she is experiencing. The special bond they are developing has been life-saving for Dilmaya - and that is made possible because of people like you.
Through people like you, acting in accordance with the greatest of God’s commandments, comes love, and understanding too.
Please will you prayerfully consider sending a gift today to help provide access to mental health support, and help to break down the misunderstandings that affect so many people who live in poverty with mental health conditions.
Your gift could help someone like Dilmaya access mental health counselling and medication, or help provide people with mental health conditions with home visits from a caring Outreach Support worker like Durga. And if you are able to give a truly generous gift, you could help create more loving and understanding neighbours for people like Dilmaya by supporting Anti-Stigma Awareness Campaigns and Self-Help Groups.
Imagine what a difference it would make for Dilmaya to know she always has people to turn to for compassion and support… instead of hiding away in fear of how she might be treated.
But please don’t delay. Because the longer people like Dilmaya go without help, the more isolated they become from their best chance of living a life where they are loved and understood by those around them.
Please show Dilmaya and more people like her that they are not forgotten.
Thank you for your kind and caring heart. May God bless you.
If reading this story makes you feel overwhelmed, and if you’re experiencing difficult times and need someone to talk to, here’s where you can get help:
NZ Prayerline: Call 0800 50 80 80
Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865
Youth Services: Call 06 355 5906
Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
What’s Up: Call 0800 942 8787
Depression Helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202
Helpline: Text 1737 Bereaved by Suicide Service: Call 0800 000 053
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
