A descriptive study on the attitudinal changes, stigma and challenges faced by care givers of institutions for the rehabilitation of the mentally ill

Pages: 439-441
Kurian Jose (Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra )
Rajith K. Ravindren (Psychiatrist, Institute of Mental Health, and Neuro Sciences, Kozhikode, Kerala )
Bhagya Lekshmi (Occupational Therapist, Institute of Mental Health, and Neuro Sciences, Kozhikode, Kerala )

The life experience of institutional care providers of mentally ill, their perception about mental illness and imbibed stigma, adaptation to the changed role of care giving are rarely researched in countries like India. Using mixed research methodology, participants (n=24) from institutions which provide rehabilitation of mentally ill in Kozhikode district of Kerala state were selected for the study. A focused group discussion was conducted and the experiences of the participants were documented. Majority of the care givers noted that their experience in working in these institutions has changed their attitude towards mental illness as well as their attitude towards life as a whole. This in turn helped them to adapt to new strategies of rehabilitation services.