Experiences of family members caring for a sibling with mental illness in Giyani, Limpopo

Abstract

According to a report published by News24 (Msomi 2022:np), mental health in South Africa is ranked among the worst in the world. This was aggravated by the Life Esidimeni tragedy in 2016 where chronic psychiatric patients were transferred from mental health institutions to nongovernment organisations with the aim to deinstitutionalise the chronic psychiatric Background: Mental illness is a serious condition affecting the diagnosed individual and all family members. Family members caring for a sibling with mental illness encounter severe challenges, which, if unresolved, becomes a burden they carry for the rest of their lives. Objectives:The purpose of the study was to describe family members' experiences caring for a sibling with mental illness in Giyani.Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was used. Eight family members caring for a sibling with mental illness were purposively sampled. Data were collected through in-depth phenomenological interviews, and data were analysed using thematic coding, and an external coder was consulted.Results: The study's findings revealed that family members caring for a sibling with mental illness experienced significant challenges. The three themes that emerged after data analysis were the following: caring for a sibling with mental illness was an overwhelming experience; family members experience emotional instability as a result of caring for their sibling with mental illness and family members need support in caring for their sibling with mental illness. Conclusion:The findings indicated that family members need support in caring for a sibling with mental illness. Family members would cope better with support from extended family, healthcare professionals in mental health and the community; this will reduce the burden of caring for a sibling with mental for family members. Furthermore, the availability of resources can assist in facilitating family members' mental health.Contribution: This study could make an impact in psychiatric nursing practice, nursing education in promotion of support for family members for a sibling with mental illness.

Health effects of caregiving and coping with severe mental disorders: A caregivers’ experience

“… 18 Without preparation, knowledge or support, informal caregivers of persons with SMDs often experience changes in their life. 14 Caregiving is associated with several negative experiences including physical, mental, and social consequences, 18 , 20 , 21 , 22 which subsequently impact their quality of life. 23 Previous studies conducted in LMICs reveal that caregivers experience negative emotions such as irritability, frustration, guilt, shame, and helplessness, which predispose them to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout.…”

“… 23 Previous studies conducted in LMICs reveal that caregivers experience negative emotions such as irritability, frustration, guilt, shame, and helplessness, which predispose them to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout. 14 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 26 In addition, caregivers experience deterioration in their physical health, including developing physical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and body aches. 14 , 24 , 27 Research evidence emphasises the importance of caregivers in the well-being and relapse prevention of persons with SMDs, 28 , 29 and thus, any negative consequences on the caregivers’ health threaten the well-being of their care recipients.…”

Caregiver Perspective in a Mental Diagnosis of Hyperreligiosity

“…At this point, it borders on hyperreligiosity which is a mental illness. "In this article, mental illness refers to any psychiatric condition or disorder that causes signi cant distress and impairment in social, work or family activities; these conditions include, and are not limited to, schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, anxiety disorder and depression (Vukeya, Temane, & Poggenpoel, 2022). Speci cally, hyperreligiosity is a mental disturbance in which a person experiences intense religious beliefs or episodes that interferes with normal functioning.…”

The Relationship between Public Mental Health Policy and the Practice of Community Psychology through Family Support Groups

“…Traditionally, as Leggatt (2002) states, the psychiatric system has generally not recognised the role of families in facilitating the recovery of their sick relatives. However, the expectation exists by the very same psychiatric system that these families should take responsibility for their sick relative and should act as the "primary carers" or "case managers" in the absence of adequate education or skills training (Aass et al, 2020;Dirik et al, 2017;Leggatt, 2000;Vukeya et al, 2022). This recognition implies that the psychiatric system has a role to play in adequately equipping family members to take responsibility for their relatives.…”