Assessing mental health services in a rural setting: service providers’ perspective

Abstract

Addressing the inadequate and poor provision of mental health services in rural areas is a world-wide challenge. Most people with mental illness in these areas do not have access to mental health services. Using eight attributes of good mental health service as criteria, the purpose of this study was to assess mental health services at Mashashane, a rural area in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. A survey was conducted with a purposively selected sample of health care professionals from four health establishments serving Mashashane. Data was collected using a questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses were used. The results show that out of eight attributes assessed only comprehensiveness was positively perceived. This is an indication of the inadequacy of mental health services, hence their inability to improve the well-being of people with mental illness and their families. Lack of resources was identified as the major hindrance to the delivery of appropriate mental health services. The findings highlighted aspects that contributed to the development of a framework for a community-based program to improve the well-being of people with mental illness and their families in a rural setting