1 Harvard Law School Project on Disability, Cambridge, MA, USA.
2 Centre for Applied Legal Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2019 Feb;65(1):73-79. doi: 10.1177/0020764018816344. Epub 2018 Dec 5.
Family life is a near-universal condition and a fundamental human right. It can also have a significant impact on mental health, including recovery from mental health conditions. In India, families play a considerable role, representing a source of social, cultural, religious and, often, financial support. However, families can also play a stigmatising role.
To examine the experiences of mental health service users (MHSUs) relating to stigma and support provided by family members and to consider ways in which family support can be improved.
This is a qualitative study. A total of 17 residential MHSUs at the Ahmedabad Hospital for Mental Health were interviewed. The results were evaluated using thematic content analysis.
The results revealed that all 17 MHSUs considered their families to be important sources of support, while 14 of the 17 MHSUs also experienced stigma emanating from their families. A total of 11 experienced lack of knowledge, 4 spoke of prejudicial attitudes and 5 mentioned discriminatory behaviours. There were important gender differences in experiences. MHSUs mentioned needs ranging from education and peer support for family members to financial support.
Families act both as sources of support and stigmatisation. Education needs are considerable, while the need for peer support for families and resources to aid families in supporting people with mental health conditions are also important considerations.
家庭生活是一种近乎普遍的状况，也是一项基本人权。它也会对心理健康产生重大影响，包括从心理健康问题中恢复。在印度，家庭扮演着相当重要的角色，代表着社会、文化、宗教以及通常的经济支持的来源。然而，家庭也可能扮演着污名化的角色。
探讨精神卫生服务使用者（MHSUs）与家庭成员提供的污名和支持相关的体验，并考虑如何改善家庭支持。
这是一项定性研究。共有 17 名住在 Ahmedabad 心理健康医院的 MHSUs 接受了采访。使用主题内容分析法对结果进行评估。
结果显示，所有 17 名 MHSUs 都认为他们的家庭是重要的支持来源，而 17 名 MHSUs 中有 14 名也经历了来自家庭的污名化。共有 11 人缺乏知识，4 人表示存在偏见态度，5 人提到歧视性行为。在经历方面存在重要的性别差异。MHSUs 提到了从家庭成员的教育和同伴支持到经济支持的各种需求。
家庭既是支持的来源，也是污名化的来源。教育需求相当大，而对家庭成员的同伴支持以及帮助家庭支持心理健康状况患者的资源的需求也很重要。
