17.10.2025 10:23
The 23-year-old phone addict Barış Özbay, who has been talked about in Turkey, was convinced by the teams from the Ministry of Family and Social Services after long efforts and was released after 3 years. Taken to a bathhouse and shaved, Özbay said, "It was nice to take a bath and get a shave, but I don't think anything will change. I will still just hang around like a lazy person. I don't think I will want to do anything even after I recover."
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50-year-old Semra Özbay and her 23-year-old son Barış Özbay, who lost their home in the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, have clung to life together in the Defne district of Hatay after the 'disaster of the century'. The family, who lost both their home and loved ones in the earthquake, has been struggling with a difficult process for three years.
NOT TAKING SHOWERS, NOT CUTTING NAILS Barış Özbay, who was caught playing on his phone during the earthquake and later said he lost his will to live, dropped out of the university he was attending and became addicted to playing constantly on the computer and mobile phone. The young man, who meets his basic needs to live, neither takes showers nor fulfills his personal needs like cutting his nails.
THE FAMILY AND SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE TOOK ACTION After Barış's situation became a topic in Turkey, teams were mobilized upon the instruction of Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı. The Family and Social Services Directorate teams convinced Barış to take the first step towards starting a new life.
CONVINCED AND TAKEN TO THE BATHHOUSE After hours of discussion, Barış was taken to the Disabled Living Center, where he was first shaved and then bathed.
"I RESISTED A LITTLE BUT THEY TOOK ME BY FORCE" Barış Özbay, who stated that he was taken by force to take a shower for the first time in three years, expressed that he was happy about the situation, saying, "Today, teams from the Family and Social Services Directorate came. I resisted a little, but they forcibly lifted me and took me. I got a haircut and a shave, and I took a shower. Then we came to the Family and Social Services Provincial Director. After this, I will return home."
"I DON'T THINK I'LL WANT TO DO ANYTHING EVEN AFTER I RECOVER" Özbay said, "It was nice to take a shower and get shaved; I didn't think it would be bad, but I don't think anything will change. My problem is not my illness. I don't want to do anything, and I don't think I'll want to do anything even after I recover. I will still just hang around lazily. People feel relaxed when they do different and new things. I am happy and comfortable when there is something new. I don't have to tire myself for new things, but if it happens, I won't say no."
"OUR SUPPORT FOR BARIS WILL CONTINUE" Family and Social Services Provincial Director Süleyman Yıldırım stated that Barış was taken to the bathhouse and bathed after 3 years, saying, "We became aware of Barış through the news as the Family and Social Services Directorate. Our institution's teams visited the family at their home. We determined that Barış had severely neglected his self-care, such as going outside, taking a shower, and cutting his nails since the earthquake. In the evening, our Governor Mustafa Masatlı contacted us. He was informed about the news and gave us instructions. As an institution, we visited Barış's home again. We took Barış to a nice bathhouse, bathed him, shaved him, and changed his clothes. From now on, our support for Barış will continue. Our District Health Directorate will visit Barış's home. Our young man has some physical issues and conditions like eczema. In this regard, health workers will conduct the necessary examinations. The teams from Hatay Metropolitan Municipality will come and clean the house where Barış is staying. God willing, we hope he will be well. Barış visited us at the end of the day. We perceive this as a thank you. I felt and saw that Barış was happy today. Although there was some resistance to changes, I observed that today was good for Barış. I believe that with the intervention of health teams and after treatment, Barış will reach a better point," he expressed.
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