Experiences of Individuals Living with Chronic Mental Illness in Northern Namibia

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the lived experiences of individuals living with chronic mental illness, and the experience of those caring for them. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual research design was used. Data was collected from four (4) multiple case studies which comprised of twenty-four (24) participants, utilizing in-depth phenomenological interviews with individuals living with chronic mental illness; one focus group interview with family members from each case, community members and health care workers. Interviews and focus group discussions were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed by means of Tesch's open coding method. Three (3) main themes were identified; (a) experience of ineffective individual coping related to living with chronic mental illness, (b) experience of alteration in family processes related to the presence of long term mental illness, and (c) experience of individuals' impaired social interaction related to substance abuse and dysfunctional system evidenced by verbalized discomfort in social situations. The study concluded that an understanding of patients' experience by mental health nurses will enable them to facilitate the development of constructive interaction between individuals living with chronic mental illness and caregivers.