Not Enough Money and Too Many Thoughts: Exploring Perceptions of Mental Health in Two Ugandan Districts Through the Mental Health Literacy Framework

Mental health disorders account for a heavy disease burden in Uganda. In order to provide culturally appropriate mental health prevention and treatment approaches, it is necessary to understand how mental health is conceptualized in the population. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) and 31 in-dept...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative health research 2021-04, Vol.31 (5), p.967-982
Main Authors: Miller, Amanda P., Ziegel, Leo, Mugamba, Stephen, Kyasanku, Emmanuel, Wagman, Jennifer A., Nkwanzi-Lubega, Violet, Nakigozi, Gertrude, Kigozi, Godfrey, Nalugoda, Fred, Kigozi, Grace, Nkale, James, Watya, Stephen, Ddaaki, William
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Community mental health services
Female
Focus Groups
Health behavior
Health education
Health Literacy
Help seeking behavior
Humans
Integrated care
Low income areas
Low income groups
Male
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Mental disorders
Mental Health
Mental health care
Mental health services
Money
Perception
Perceptions
Preventive medicine
Qualitative Research
Rural Population
Social development
Stress
Treatment methods
Uganda
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Summary:Mental health disorders account for a heavy disease burden in Uganda. In order to provide culturally appropriate mental health prevention and treatment approaches, it is necessary to understand how mental health is conceptualized in the population. Three focus group discussions (FGDs) and 31 in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with men and women aged 14 to 62 years residing in rural, urban, and semi-urban low-income communities in central and western Uganda to explore perceptions and knowledge of mental health. Interpretive thematic analysis was undertaken; results were organized through the lens of the mental health literacy framework. Environmental and societal stressors were identified as primary underlying causes of poor mental health. While participants recognized symptoms of poor mental health, gaps in mental health literacy also emerged. Mental health resources are needed in this setting and additional qualitative work assessing knowledge and attitudes toward mental health care seeking behavior can inform the development of acceptable integrated services.
ISSN:1049-7323
1552-7557
DOI:10.1177/1049732320986164