Rural experiences with mental illness: Through the eyes of patients and their families.

Abstract

People living in rural areas are often faced with multiple, complex, and seemingly insurmountable barriers to receiving appropriate treatment for mental health problems. Some of the barriers identified in the research literature include inaccessibility to mental health providers, stigma, and limited resources in the community. Despite existing data regarding rural patients and their families, little is known about their lived, personal experiences. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to determine the experience of patients and family members who are dealing with mental illness in rural communities. Based on this qualitative analysis of patient and family members' experiences in rural areas, issues surrounding mental health and treatment are accompanied by significant stigma, often left unresolved, and exacerbated by practical challenges which hinder access to proper mental health resources, frequently leaving rural residents to cope with inadequate solutions or seek their own, alternative solutions.

Depressed Older Patients’ Need for and Expectations of Improved Health Services—An Evaluative Approach to the Chronic Care Model

“…The participants' expectations of being considered capable and valuable are fundamental for productive interactions, while Robinson et al [8] and Zeng et al [10], stated that mental ill-health itself leads to negative views of oneself. Feelings such as uselessness and shame were reported, while lack of respect and understanding reinforces negative thinking and could be an explanation for the failure of older persons to improve despite receiving treatment for depression.…”

“…Robinson et al [8] presented four themes describing patients' and relatives' experiences of mental illness: stigma, shame, isolation and being ignored, which resulted in reluctance to seek care and thus failure to receive the necessary treatment. This is underpinned by the findings of Holm et al [9] describing depressed older persons with psychical health problems and their experiences of stigma.…”

“…This is underpinned by the findings of Holm et al [9] describing depressed older persons with psychical health problems and their experiences of stigma. Furthermore, Robinson et al [8] highlighted practical barriers to accessing mental healthcare, such as the distance to specialist mental healthcare centres and associated costs. The depressed older persons also felt discouraged and in some cases experienced hopelessness.…”

Empathy at a distance: A qualitative study on the impact of publically‐displayed art on observers

“…Mental illness is often as devastating for the family as it is for the person affected. The stigma associated with mental illness can be, in some instances, more acutely felt by families supporting a person with a mental illness as it can for the sufferer themselves (Robinson et al 2012). Compounding the problem for many families is the perception that they are somehow to blame for the person's condition (Gray et al 2010).…”

“…Compounding the problem for many families is the perception that they are somehow to blame for the person's condition (Gray et al 2010). The stigma associated with mental illness can be, in some instances, more acutely felt by families supporting a person with a mental illness as it can for the sufferer themselves (Robinson et al 2012). Preoccupation with the problem in the family and feelings of guilt and shame can lead to the family isolating themselves from the larger community (Department of Health 2011).…”