Psychosocial Interventions for Families Caring for Mental Health Care Users: A Nominal Group Technique.
Takalani Ellen Mbedzi, Anna Elizabeth van der Wath, Miriam Mmamphamo Moagi
PMID 40613634WHAT IT FOUND
Stakeholders suggested mental health education, social support and psychological support for families caring for mental health users, including pamphlets, medication guidance, stigma campaigns, police crisis help and home visits.
These are proposed priorities, not evidence they work.
Key findings
0121 stakeholders reached consensus on three intervention themes: mental health education, social support and psychological support.
02Education categories included mental illness information, medication side effects and guidance on challenging behaviours.
03Support categories included stigma reduction, police assistance, community activities, psychotherapy, home visits, medication availability, rehabilitation and awareness campaigns.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The workshop was held in one South African district, so its priorities may not fit other settings. The participants were healthcare providers, managers, policy developers and community leaders, not family caregivers or mental health users, so the views may not match those of the people needing support. Not all mental healthcare disciplines were represented, and no clinical psychologist took part. The study developed proposed interventions by consensus. It did not test whether they improve caregiver or patient outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The South African Medical Research Council funded the study.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that the interventions improve caregiver or patient outcomes. This was a consensus workshop with stakeholders, not a trial or evaluation of delivered care.