The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology and international trade, USC enrolls more international students than any other U.S. university and offers extensive opportunities for internships and study abroad. With a strong tradition of integrating liberal and professional education, USC fosters a vibrant culture of public service and encourages students to cross academic as well as geographic boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge. For those reason, a partnership to Suryani Institute for understanding culture and mental health in Bali is a building model for them to pursuit the knowledge.
“Years ago, I traveled to Bali and studied Balinese perceptions of child abuse and parental methods of discipline. I have deep respect for the work of Prof Dr Luh Ketut Suryani writings through her books and journal articles along with the commitment that she has for the mental health issues of the Balinese’ said Rafael C. Angulo as the Coordinator of Family and Children Concentration & Public Child Welfare Subconcentration at School of Social Work of the USC during his visit to see the reality of Bali’s hidden mental health with Professor Luh Ketut Suryani as the leading psychiatrist that regularly visit the patients in community.
“It was an honor and privilege to continue to follow your work and finally put a face to a name. You are truly a hero in my eyes and the work that you do on behalf of the most vulnerable and poor is truly heroic”, said Rafael after the shocking visit in the heart of Bali to Professor Suryani. The Bali’s mental health hide many mental illness being chained, caged, or shackled by their family members, often in shocking conditions. The government keeps on denies there is a serious problem and continues to ignore the pleas of Balinese and foreign psychiatrists.