The psychosocial preparation of mentally ill patients before being integrated into the community.

Abstract

The opinion of people with mental health problems who were at the rehabilitation unit prior to their integration into the community were investigated using qualitative approach. Nine potential respondents were selected and semi structured interviews were carried out in order to collect data on the topic that raise various questions and doubts. The researcher designed the research tool herself after an extensive review of the literature. Analyzing the data was performed after listening several times to the audiotapes prior to being transcribed. On reading the interview transcriptions, emergent themes were identified. The findings from this study reinforced the results of previous studies undertaken in other countries, which sustained that thorough rehabilitation programmes are needed to help the patient to traverse from hospital to community. This dissertation is meant to encourage and lead the way to further research in this field of study.