Exploring the needs of family caregivers of people living with mental illness: a qualitative study in Lobatse, Botswana

BackgroundMental disorders significantly contribute to the global disease burden and are a leading cause of disability worldwide. 57.8 million adults deal with some form of mental condition. Family caregivers play a crucial role in supporting people living with mental illness (PLWMI), but their own well-being is often impacted. When a family member has a mental illness, caregivers often feel solely responsible for various aspects, significantly increasing the burden of caregiving. This study aimed to explore and describe the needs of family caregivers of people living with mental illness in Lobatse.MethodsThe study used an exploratory, descriptive, contextual qualitative design to explore and describe the needs of family members caring for relatives diagnosed with mental illnesses. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the family caregivers who participated in the study. Data was collected through in-depth individual face-to-face interviews and analysed using a content analysis approach. The study's trustworthiness was ensured by establishing credibility, transferability, authenticity, confirmability, and dependability. Approval to conduct the study was obtained from the relevant authorities, and written informed consent was secured from all participants.ResultsSeveral key needs of PLWMI family caregivers were identified: the need for interventions to assist family caregivers, the need for informational support, and the need for perceptible support.ConclusionCaring for a family member with mental illness at home is highly demanding and has negative effects on the caregivers' financial, social, and emotional well-being. The study uncovered the specific needs of family caregivers. These findings underscore the importance of developing guidelines to improve the well-being of family caregivers and provide them with necessary support.