BARQUISIMETO, VENEZUELA - JULY 28, 2016: Schizophrenic patient, Emeregildo Aranguren, pleads with head nurse, &Eacute;vila Garc&iacute;a<br />
to let him out of solitary confinement.  Aranguren stabbed and murdered his stepfather in 2006, before being diagnosed with schizophrenia and treated with psychiatric drugs. He does not have two of the medicines that he needs to keep him stable, and has been growing increasingly anxious.  Hospital staff put him in isolation because they fear that without his medicine, he can become violent again. When he is medicated, Mr. Aranguren is much more composed and happier. He is able to participate in group therapy and art projects, like making intricate hammocks by hand&hellip;but without his medications, he is considered to dangerous to mix with the rest of patients. The economic crisis that has left Venezuela with little hard currency has also severely affected its public health system, crippling hospitals like El Pampero Psychiatric Hospital by leaving it without the resources it needs to take care of patients living there, the majority of whom could live much more fulfilling lives if they had the medicines that they need. The hospital has not employed a psychiatrist for over two years. Drugs used to combat bipolar disorder, epilepsy, schizoaffective disorder and chronic anxiety are now in short supply, as are numerous sedatives and tranquilizers needed to care for patients. Members of the nursing staff debate daily which patients are the most unstable, to decide which patients will receive pills and which will go without. When a patient loses control, often the only thing they can do is lock them in an isolation cell to prevent them from hurting themselves, other patients and members of the staff.  PHOTO: Meridith Kohut