Quality of Life of People with Mental Illness Who Lives in the Community in Sarawak

Saloma, Pawi and Zabidah, Putit and Rekaya Vincent, Balang and Jane, Buncuan (2012) Quality of Life of People with Mental Illness Who Lives in the Community in Sarawak. Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry Ejournal, 21 (2). ISSN 2232-0385

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Abstract

This study explores the quality of life, social integration and the effects of perceived stigma of people with mental illness living in the community. Adopting a complimentary mixed method, this study was represented by 165 people with mental illness in Kuching, Sibu and Miri. Findings indicated that the quality of life scale was poor, 49.67% and 78.43% often experienced stigma. Anticipated stigma 43.79%; 16.99% all the time and 4.58% never experienced stigma. Findings also noted that people with mental illness living in the community are still largely depending on and needed continuous support from their family members/carers for financial aid and their living arrangement for a “better” quality of life. Where treatment is concerned, follow up care at home by health care providers continue to play a significant role. In order to “erase” the perceived or stigma experienced, establishing therapeutic relationship, communication and creating awareness on “stigma discrimination paradigm” poses a phenomenal challenge in the current misrepresentations of mental health messages.

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