The lifeworld of families of mental health care users in rural South Africa: A phenomenological study.

Background: In recovery-oriented mental health care, family members of mental health care users form part of the caring team. Families are expected to care for mental health care users without support in the under-resourced rural Vhembe district in South Africa.

Aim: This study aims to describe the lifeworld of family members caring for mental health care users in rural areas to inform the development of a support programme.

Setting: Purposive sampling was used to select 16 family members from eight community health centres in the Vhembe district.

Methods: A qualitative approach, using a descriptive phenomenological design, was adopted to conduct unstructured interviews that were transcribed, translated and analysed using a descriptive method.

Results: Family members continuously contemplate their responsibilities. Endless concerns and stress result in forgetfulness and physical problems such as insomnia, hypertension and pain. Family members feel powerless and helpless when there is no improvement and support from community resources. Fear of being violated, embarrassed and stigmatised by community members results in social isolation and depression.

Conclusion: Caregiving is burdensome in poorly resourced areas. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness Psychosomatic and depressive symptoms relate to the lack of effective community support which are likely to result in compromising the care they provide.

Contribution: The results call for the Department of Health to strengthen community mental health services and for health care professionals to provide supportive interventions based on the needs of mental health care users and their families.