In the morning we introduced the new psychiatric nurse to the hospital, which was badly damaged in the tsunami. The water came in so quickly that the nurses had to unlock the doors because they thought the patients might drown. About 215 patients escaped and 83 were kept together. There was no clean water, no electricity, no staff and highly agitated patients. Then the hospital was looted. So we are starting from scratch in terms of water and sanitation, and using the clothing and medicine donated through international aid.
Most days are like this: we brief our interpreters and drivers on what needs to be done, go out into the field and don't come back until dark. Then we have meetings to organise what will happen the next day. We have made a start on rebuilding the mental healthcare programme.
I was in Britain when it happened. People rang me and said it looked as if I could be of help. I will probably stay until the end of February.
We aren't doing counselling in the English sense of the word, but today we flew by helicopter out to one of the devastated areas and heard people's stories. They thank me for being there, and it's humbling. People are so resilient - there has been huge mobilisation across Indonesia. It's phenomenal.
